Donjon de Niort

The vast area covered by the castle extended between the River Sèvre to the markets and the modern Préfecture building to the rue Thiers, and was enclosed by an enceinte comprising approximately ten towers.

[citation needed] At the start of the 13th century, the townspeople of Niort were besieged by Poitevin lords from the surrounding area, who blocked the entrances to the town and cut off provisions.

[citation needed] During the Hundred Years War in progress, Niort was alternately under French and English domination.

From the end of the century, the duc de Berry, brother of Charles V, began restoring the castle including improvements to the residential parts of the keep.

Windows were built or enlarged to give more light; fireplaces were installed in the grand hall which was itself split into two floors; walls were painted or coated.

[citation needed] Classified as a monument historique in 1840,[1] the castle housed the families of municipal employees or was used to store départemental archives.

[citation needed] Following the first national congress of ethnology in France, held at Niort in 1896, the keep began to take on its present function as a museum, initially housing the collection of Poitevin costumes.

[citation needed] The castle houses the following museum collections: From the roof, there is a beautiful view over the town and the Sèvre Niortaise.