Le Palais

In this palace, different exercises of power took place. Shortly after the year 1000, a new palace was built on a mound of earth, leaning against the ancient rampart and completed around 1100 by a first tower. Residence of the Counts of Poitou-Dukes of Aquitaine, a large ceremonial room was built by the Plantagenets shortly before 1200, the "Salle des Pas Perdus", (vast dimensions, gigantic fireplaces, Angevin style decoration), it is the official room of the Palace and remains today one of the most remarkable examples of medieval civil architecture in France. In the 13th century, the palace became less residential, in favor of administrative functions and underwent new developments around 1380, under the impetus of Jean de Berry. After the French Revolution, the former count's palace was definitively converted into a courthouse until 2019 and is owned by the city.