Donjon de Niort
About This Museum
The Donjon de Niort is a place of layered histories, a formidable stone keep that has loomed over the Sèvre Niortaise river for centuries. It doesn't just display artifacts; it is the primary artifact itself, having morphed from a medieval fortress to a grim prison before finding its current life as a museum. Inside, you'll find a fascinatingly eclectic mix of collections that somehow feel perfectly at home within these thick walls. The journey through its levels is a physical one, moving from deep archaeological finds up to more intimate displays of craft and fashion. It’s a building that asks you to read its stones as much as its placards.
Collection Highlights
The archaeology section grounds you in the region's Gallo-Roman roots, while the unexpected leatherwork exhibit showcases everything from delicate gilded bookbindings to historic saddlery. Perhaps most striking is the costume collection, where 18th and 19th-century formalwear seems to whisper stories in stark contrast to the austere prison cells they now occupy.
Visitor Information
Be prepared for stairs and uneven floors—this is an authentic medieval climb, not a modern gallery walk. The view from the ramparts alone is worth the visit, offering a stunning panorama of Niort that connects the old city with the new.
Architecture & Building
Twin-towered Romanesque keep, a classic example of 12th-century military architecture with stark, imposing facades and later modifications that hint at its time as a prison.
Contact & Location
Address: Rue du Guesclin, Saint-Maixent-l'École, Niort, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France métropolitaine, 79400, France
Phone: +33 5 49 28 14 28
Website: Visit Website
