Château de Mélusine

Saint-Jean-d'Angle, France, France

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Château de Mélusine, also known as the Château of Saint-Jean-d’Angle, is a medieval fortified castle in western France associated with the legendary fairy Mélusine and the powerful Lusignan family.

Built in stone around 1180 by Guillaume de Lusignan, it was strategically positioned to oversee the surrounding marshlands and protect the wealth generated by the region’s salt trade. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands many times and endured conflicts, sieges, and periods of decline. In the early 17th century, Charlotte de Saint-Gelais de Lusignan restored and modernized the fortress, transforming it into a more comfortable residence.

By the late 20th century it had fallen into severe disrepair before undergoing a major restoration between 1995 and 2000. Today, the château is a protected historic monument and a popular heritage attraction. Surrounded by a moat and medieval-themed grounds, it combines history, legend, and interactive exhibits, offering visitors an engaging introduction to medieval life and the enduring story of Mélusine.