Stay 
Maison-Dieu of Châtillon-sur-Thouet
approx. 2 km
A priory founded in 1174 by William IV of Parthenay to receive pilgrims and the sick. The Romanesque church keeps an apse with painted decoration; the site has been protected since 1924.
Le Château des Plans in Parthenay: a night in a château in the Gâtine
Le Château des Plans stands in Parthenay, in the Deux-Sèvres, on the road to Brossard, a few kilometres from the medieval citadel. According to the Expedia listing, this château offers accommodation with a kitchen, an indoor pool, a garden and free parking, and it welcomes dogs and cats. A practical base for a stay in a château and for exploring the Gâtine poitevine.
At a glance
- Location
- Route de Brossard, Parthenay (Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), in the Gâtine poitevine, about 2 km from the old town as the crow flies
- Accommodation
- A château, as described by Expedia, with accommodation that has a kitchen, a private bathroom and a flat-screen TV
- Highlights
- Indoor pool, garden, free Wi-Fi, free parking, laundry, dogs and cats welcome
- Guest rating
- 9.4/10 from 31 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 3–7:30 pm (late arrival possible at certain times) · check-out at 10 am
- Good to know
- Continental breakfast at extra cost · housekeeping once a week · no lift · non-smoking property
Staying at Le Château des Plans: a château with an indoor pool in Parthenay
To stay at Le Château des Plans is to choose a château with character on the edge of Parthenay rather than a standard hotel. The Expedia listing presents it as a château with a garden; the property's photos show a large historic stone building with a tower and many windows, set among well-kept lawns and trees.
The accommodation is designed for staying at your own pace: the listing mentions a kitchen with hob, fridge, microwave, kettle, crockery and cutlery, plus a private bathroom with shower, bathrobes, slippers, a flat-screen TV and central heating. The rooms are soundproofed and Wi-Fi is free.
For relaxing, an indoor pool is open from 8 am to 8 pm and the garden invites a stroll. A continental breakfast is available daily from 8 to 9.30 am for an extra charge. Reception is staffed only at certain times, housekeeping takes place once a week and a laundry is available to guests.
Photos of Le Château des Plans
Parthenay, the medieval town next to Le Château des Plans
- c. 1012 – Parthenay probably grows up together with its castle, shortly before 1012.
- 12th century – The Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre is built; in 1174 William IV, lord of Parthenay, founds the Maison-Dieu priory on his return from pilgrimage.
- 1214 – King John of England pays for the town's fortifications, and the English army gathers there before the campaign against the king of France.
- 1419 – The stronghold holds out for four months against the siege led by the Dauphin Charles.
- 1830 – The lords' castle is razed; only remains survive, including a round tower.
- 1994 – The remains of the Château de Parthenay are listed as historic monuments (decree of 2 September 1994).
The sources consulted do not trace the history of Le Château des Plans itself, so this page draws on the history of the neighbouring town, which explains the medieval setting of the area. Parthenay grew on a rocky spur in a loop of the Thouet. It lay on a secondary route of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, hence the name of the Saint-Jacques gate, flanked by two almond-shaped towers.
The citadel, the ramparts, the half-timbered houses of the rue de la Vau Saint-Jacques and the Romanesque churches can all be discovered a few kilometres from the château, which makes a stay here a fine immersion in medieval Poitou.
Facilities and services at Le Château des Plans
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); they may vary from one unit to another.
Accommodation
- Kitchen with hob, fridge and microwave
- Kettle, crockery and cutlery
- Private bathroom with shower
- Bathrobes and slippers
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Flat-screen TV
- Soundproofed rooms and central heating
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
Leisure & outdoors
- Indoor pool, open from 8 am to 8 pm
- Garden
- Free Wi-Fi in some public areas
Services
- Continental breakfast at extra cost, 8 to 9.30 am
- Laundry
- Reception with limited hours
- Housekeeping once a week
- Free parking without service, limited spaces
- Dogs and cats welcome
- No lift
- Non-smoking property
Where Le Château des Plans is: on the edge of Parthenay, in the Gâtine
The château is on the route de Brossard in Parthenay, a sub-prefecture of the Deux-Sèvres. According to Wikipedia, the town is 30 to 40 minutes by road from Thouars, Niort and Bressuire, and it is regarded as the capital of the Gâtine poitevine, a hedged farmland (bocage) region. The old town is about 2 km away as the crow flies.
According to Expedia, Chalandray station is 16 minutes away by car and Poitiers-Biard airport 44 minutes. The listing also names, among nearby sights, the Porte de l'Horloge, the Porte Saint-Jacques, the Château de Parthenay and the church of Saint-Pierre in Parthenay-le-Vieux, as well as the Mazières-en-Gâtine golf course and, for families, Pescalis and Mouton Village.
Further afield, the Château d'Oiron (about 35 km) and the cities of Niort and Poitiers (40 to 45 km) round off a stay in Poitou.
Distances (as the crow flies from Le Château des Plans)
| Châtillon-sur-Thouet (village) | approx. 1.5 km |
| Parthenay (town centre) | approx. 2 km |
| Maison-Dieu of Châtillon-sur-Thouet | approx. 2 km |
| Porte Saint-Jacques and ramparts | approx. 2 km |
| Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre church | approx. 2 km |
| Parthenay citadel and castle | approx. 2.5 km |
| Parthenay-le-Vieux | approx. 4 km |
| Château d'Oiron | approx. 35 km |
| Niort | approx. 41 km |
| Poitiers | approx. 43 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies from the coordinates of the Expedia listing; driving times to the station and airport come from the listing.
Things to see around Le Château des Plans
Ramparts and Porte Saint-Jacques, Parthenay
approx. 2 km
Ramparts raised between the 12th and 13th centuries. The Porte Saint-Jacques, flanked by two elliptical towers, opens onto a fortified bridge over the Thouet.
Notre-Dame-de-la-Couldre church
approx. 2 km
A former Romanesque parish church from the 12th century. Its screen façade, typical of Poitevin Romanesque art, survives with a portal of carved archivolts. Listed since 1862.
Parthenay citadel and Porte de l'Horloge
approx. 2.5 km
The Porte de la Citadelle, or clock tower, is a gatehouse with two almond-shaped towers. Beyond it, on the spur, stand the remains of the castle, listed in 1994.
Saint-Pierre church, Parthenay-le-Vieux
approx. 4 km
A former priory church built in the mid-11th century in the village of Parthenay-le-Vieux, now part of Parthenay. Listed since the 1846 list.
Château d'Oiron
approx. 35 km
A Renaissance and Classical château built mainly by the Gouffier family, classified as a historic monument in 1923. State-owned since 1946, it houses a contemporary art collection.
Tours & activities near Le Château des Plans
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Discover La Rochelle: Discovery Walking Tour of La Rochelle
Walking tour of La Rochelle in English. Find out about the history of La Rochelle, visit the key sights to see, discover the best things to see and …
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The Océâmes Treasure in La Rochelle
IMPORTANT: The rate is 42 € / TEAM (6 maximum, if more, contact me) Passionate and creator of games of logic, reflection and observation for many …
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Picnic in the Vines - A Unique Loire Wine Experience
Step into a moment that feels uniquely special. 10 minutes from Chinon, discover Château du Petit Thouars, a family-run estate where history, wine …
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Food Tour - Discover La Rochelle
The La Rochelle Food Tour provides a unique insight into the gastronomic delights of La Rochelle and the surrounding region.
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Au Cœur du Château - VSOP D’USSÉ & XO BARON OTARD
An architectural masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance inspiration, the Château de Cognac opens its doors and reveals its history and some of the …
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Discover Braastad Cognac
A dive into a family cognac house, whose work reflects the values. An authentic experience, where you discover the development of cognac through all …
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retro road trip/ Méhari, 2CV & Burton in Rochefort, La Rochelle
Get ready for an exceptional experience. Whether it's a getaway in town, on the coast, on the islands of Ré or Oléron or an adventure on the …
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English Speaking Loire Winery Tours originating from Chinon
Let us take you to some of the best vineyards in the area - Chinon, Saumur, Bourgueil - and discover the amazing wines - whites, rosés, reds, and …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is Le Château des Plans for?
Travellers with a dog or cat
The listing states that dogs and cats are welcome, which is unusual for a château.
Families & friends
A kitchen in the accommodation, an indoor pool and a garden: enough to stay as a group without relying on restaurants.
Medieval history fans
The citadel, ramparts, Porte Saint-Jacques and Romanesque churches of Parthenay are a few kilometres away.
Poitou explorers
Niort, Poitiers and the Château d'Oiron are all within an hour's drive of Parthenay.
Good to know before booking Le Château des Plans
- Check-in is from 3 pm to 7.30 pm; later arrival is possible at certain times, to be confirmed with the property. Check-out is at 10 am.
- Dogs and cats are welcome.
- The continental breakfast, served from 8 to 9.30 am, is charged extra.
- The indoor pool is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Reception is staffed only at certain times and housekeeping takes place once a week.
- On-site parking is free, without service, with a limited number of spaces. There is no lift and the property is non-smoking.
Find available dates at Le Château des Plans
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Le Château des Plans?
Yes. Le Château des Plans in Parthenay can be booked via Expedia; the listing describes accommodation with a kitchen, a private bathroom and a TV.
Are pets allowed?
Yes. According to Expedia, dogs and cats are welcome at the property.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, the listing mentions an indoor pool, open from 8 am to 8 pm.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3 pm to 7.30 pm, with late arrival possible at certain times. Check-out is at 10 am.
Is breakfast available?
Yes, a continental breakfast is served daily from 8 to 9.30 am, for an extra charge.
How far is the château from the centre of Parthenay?
About 2 km as the crow flies from the citadel and old town; Expedia gives a maximum of 5 km to the Porte de l'Horloge, the Porte Saint-Jacques and the Château de Parthenay.
Photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Le Château des Plans listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a château on the edge of medieval Parthenay? Check availability and current prices for Le Château des Plans on Expedia.
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