Château de Tiffauges

Pays de la Loire · France · Castle

In Bluebeard's castle, children's cries are still said to echo at night — this was the lair of Gilles de Rais.

The ruined fortress of Tiffauges in the Vendée is the largest medieval site in the Pays de la Loire and forever linked to Gilles de Rais — the marshal who fought beside Joan of Arc but was executed in 1440 for the murder of scores of children, and who is thought to have inspired the fairy-tale villain Bluebeard. During his years here, children vanished from the countryside without trace, and local legend says their cries still echo around the walls on certain nights. Flaubert already described Tiffauges as a cursed phantom castle. Today the ruin is a visitor attraction with siege engines and medieval shows — but its dark legacy weighs heavily.

FAQ

Where is Château de Tiffauges located?

Château de Tiffauges is in Pays de la Loire, France.