Château de Boistissandeau

The Château du Boistissandeau is a castle located in the commune of Les Herbiers, south of Ardelay in the Vendée region of France.

This castle was built in 1578. Its facade is surmounted by a large pink brick pepperpot.

This place is one of the best preserved in the region, it is classified as a Historic Monument since January 23, 1958.

In the past, this castle was the property of the Brothers of Saint-Gabriel. They had established a retreat house there.

The Boistissandeau estate was acquired in June 2003 by the Vendée General Council.

A large part of the castle has been renovated, but there are still some renovations to be done. Especially in the left wing.

The scholar René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur, made frequent visits there during the 18th century, in the company of the owner, Jean-Baptiste-Laurent d'Hillerin, himself a great scientific figure.

The Boistissandeau castle was also the victim of an episode of terror in the Vendée.

On January 31, 1794, five hussars came and murdered on the still visible mount, the chatelaine Marie Agathe d'Hillerin and her two daughters, Henriette and Agathe.

Marie-Agathe, the chatelaine, will be dragged by the feet in the staircase in front of the entrance of the castle and will be massacred with swords.

Marie-Agathe's two daughters, Henriette and Agathe, tried to escape. One of the girls was shot near the main gate of the castle, and the other was shot in front of the gate of La Chapelle.

The door of the Chapel still keeps the traces of bullets today.

The castle was then inhabited by the Brothers of Saint Gabriel, and transformed into a Novitiate in 1942.

It was later transformed into a retirement home in 1970.

Today, the castle has become an accommodation center for the disabled and their families.

The Château du Boistissandeau is the only one in France to offer this service today.