Château de la Chabotterie

The Logis de la Chabotterie is a historic manor house located in Saint-Sulpice-le-Verdon (commune of Montréverd), in the Vendée department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France. It is a classic example of the “logis bas-poitevin”, a type of seigneurial residence that combines the noble house with agricultural outbuildings and servants’ lodgings arranged around a closed courtyard of honour. This form became widespread in the Vendée landscape between the 15th and 18th centuries.

Construction began in the mid- to late 15th century. Major works in the late 16th and early 17th centuries added a high four-level corner pavilion and a fortified square tower dated 1611 that bears the arms of the Bourbon-Chabot family (the name of the estate is linked to the ancient Chabot lineage). In the late 19th century a neo-Renaissance chapel was added on the north side and a tower replaced the old latrine turret on the garden side.

The site entered French history on 23 March 1796. François-Athanase Charette de La Contrie (“Charette”), the last major commander of the Catholic and Royal Army, was captured in the neighbouring woods by General Travot, who had established his headquarters in the logis. Wounded, Charette was brought to the kitchen, treated, and then transferred to Nantes, where he was executed a few days later. His arrest and death symbolically mark the end of the War in the Vendée. A cross (the Croix de Charette, erected in 1911) commemorates the place of capture.

Inscribed as a Monument historique in 1958, the estate was acquired by the Conseil départemental de la Vendée in 1992. A complete restoration in 1992–1993 returned the buildings to their appearance on the eve of the Revolution; the interiors are furnished exclusively with authentic pre-1790 objects based on archival inventories. The site now functions as a cultural and interpretation centre. A 500 m² scenographic space uses interactive multimedia to explain the causes of the conflict, military strategies and the emblematic figures of both sides.

The 48-hectare domain includes a formal enclosed garden (ornamental parterres with more than 120 flower varieties, an aromatic and medicinal garden, and a potager of old vegetables), an orchard, a labyrinth, meadows, woodland and the path leading to the Charette Cross. The park is freely accessible; the logis and gardens are open to visitors (ticketed). The site hosts exhibitions, immersive summer spectacles and seasonal events.