Château de Pouzauges

The castle's origins date back to the 11th century, when it belonged to the Zacharie de Pouzauges family. Ownership passed to the Chantemerle and Savary de Mauléon families, before it was acquired by the Viscounts of Thouars. They granted the castle to a younger son who also owned Tiffauges. Through her marriage to Catherine de Thouars, the Château de Pouzauges came into the possession of Gilles de Rais. However, he himself preferred the Château de Tiffauges. After his death, Catherine de Thouars inhabited the castle and had the keep extensively remodeled to make it more residential. A new floor and a spiral staircase were added, and arrowslits were replaced by windows to bring more light into the interior.