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The “Basses Prisons” are the remains of the ramparts of the castle of the Vicomtes de Thouars, founders of the city. The Place du Champ de Foire corresponded to the Lower Courtyard of the Castle. It is surrounded by remarkable houses.
The ramparts of the Basses Prisons are the remains of the Château du Vicomte. They are formed by walls connecting three engaged towers, two in a horseshoe, the third most imposing at an angle. The defensive parts, battlements, machicolations, which surmounted them were destroyed in the 3th century during the Fronde. At the foot of the ramparts, a green space, a picnic area, occupies the old moat.
From the Basses Prisons, you reach the Champ de Foire, so called because fairs were held there until the 70s. The disappearance of the Halles, located today Place Saint-Jean, dealt them a fatal blow. Remarkable houses surround this square.
The so-called “Bonnet Rouge” house from 1537, in a flamboyant Gothic style, with superb moldings framing doors and windows, and at an angle, a sculpted head. The “Jeanneton” house from 1825 was built on the site of the Saint-Jean church, destroyed after the revolution. It has an Imperial faired roof (inverted ship hull).
Visit
- Possibility of having a group guided tour on request
- Self-guided group tour
- Individual free visit
- Possibility of having an individual guided tour on request
Visit languages
- Français
Prices
Free