DONJON DE MONCONTOUR

25 m high and 12 m wide, with walls 2.80 m thick (one meter at the top), the keep is impressive. This square keep is in excellent condition. It was probably built in 1040 by Foulques Nerra, the place was then overhanging swamps, making its access difficult. Built to defend the territory, it was the outpost of Mirebeau and served to protect the citadel of Loudun. It was the site of the battle of Moncontour between Protestants and Royalist Catholics in 1569, but also of the resistance against the Germans on June 22, 1940.