History - 12th Century Medieval Moated Castle

The first section of the castle was built in the 12th century, at that stage it consisted of a large defensive tower, a small section for accommodation, then 3 smaller towers joined by walls with oak walkways around the walls.

In the 1400's the castle was attacked by the English who where on their way to attack the fort at Bressuire, The night (Seigneur) who owned the castle at that time set fire to the castle so it wouldnt fall in to English hands, The village is named Noirlieu which translates to "dark place" or "black place" as a result of this, the next village is Noirterre "dark land" is where the Seigneur grazed his animals, these were slaughtered and burned so they didnt fall in to the hands English.

There was extensive damage to the walls and the back quarter tower, instead of re building it to its former design, the Seigneur extended the chateau building to the back quarter, from there the walls to the smaller towers were re-built.

In 1694 the castle was extended once more from the back left quarter to the back right quarter extending accommodation one more.

At that stage the castle consisted of the large medieval hall, with bed chambre above, with a kitchen for the peasantes to prepare food, there was a large room for entertaining in the 1694 section, with peas