Charles de La Porte, 1st Duke of La Meilleraye

Originally from Poitou, he found himself orphaned at a very young age and, like his first cousin Cardinal Richelieu, he was adopted by their uncle Amador de La Porte, Grand Prior of France, who ensured their education.

Lieutenant General of Brittany in 1632, he was appointed Governor of Nantes, from which he allowed Cardinal de Retz to escape in 1654.

He was appointed Grand Master of Artillery of France the same year, and acquired the reputation of being the best General for sieges; he was nicknamed "the taker of cities".

In 1636, Cardinal Richelieu sent him to Port-Louis to make the city's citadel impregnable and said of him : One of the men of the greatest merit, the most constant favor and the most fulfilled of his time.In 1639 he became Marshal of France after taking Hesdin.

This immense domain was divided up and the abandoned castle fell into ruins by the end of the 18th century.