chateau de talmont-saint-hilaire

The weather is not a major factor in this attraction, although an overcast day is the time to go,but the queuing will be long but its worth the wait. parking in the town car-park just off the main street on the left going towards sables, has plenty of space there are a few under the castle walls but good luck with those. There is also a park and picnic areas. Well it's just fascinating to visit the Castle/Chateau of Richard the Lion Heart. The historical displays and info are very good indeed, the buildings are great, climbing about the place dressing up in period clothing if that's your bag. But the jousting is very authentic and spectacular, if a little brutal at times or at least that's the impression.

We visited chateau de talmont with our friends and children and it was a great day out. It was fairly cheap to get in and there was loads to do when we got inside. We had a tour around the castle with an English speaking guide which was good. After this there was chance to do crossbow shooting at a small charge of 1 euro each but it was so much fun. There was also ample photo opportunities around the place. We watched a birds of prey display which was very good. They also had places to play old fashioned games, walk on stilts, dress up and do some caligraphy. ( all included in admission price ). We all loved it it was a great day out.

Thought it would be not so good but it was a great show and the kids loved it. The actors who played the knights and squires really got into their roles and gave it their all.

Very nice place to visit! We have 5 years old and a 4 month old, but there are not many stairs and it was easy. Must see if in the area

This ruined Chateau is in the centre of the delightful village of Talmont St Hilaire. Parking nearby is free and entry to the Chateau very reasonable. It is set up for children really and sadly for us our grandchildren were not with us on this occasion but I am certain they would have enjoyed it. There are costumes to dress up in, the opportunity to watch the knights on horseback fighting and many other activities to take part in medieval fun.Other reviewers have mentioned an audio tour but on the day we visited they had guides who took parties around the ruins, particularly the keep. This tower is quite high and so be prepared for climbing the many steps to the top. We had an English speaking French girl to guide us. She was a little nervous at the start as it was the first time that she had taken an English speaking tour, but she should not have worried as she explained everything perfectly. She made the tour interesting and included the connection to Richard the Lionheart.It was a shame that they did not provide a restaurant in the grounds. Refreshment was by way of a cold drinks machine only. There is a small shop.This is an interesting place to visit. I suggest visitors should allow about two hours to see everything but longer if the children are with you.

We have visited Talmont St Hilaire many times, but we had never visited the chateau before, despite walking past it on dozens of occasions!The entrance fee is good value compared to many historic attractions in England. There is often events taking place within the castle walls for all the family to enjoy. I would recommend hiring an audio tour which is available in English as well as French as it is very informative.Our 4 year old daughter loved exploring the castle and it is possible to climb up many floors to the top if you are brave enough.The gift shop has some great kids dressing up costumes and swords/shields for a reasonable price.

Visited here with our two children 11 and 6 and both loved it. The castle itself is mostly ruined but the main tower is still visitable and of historical interest and with great views. The main draw is for kids (and big kids alike!). We took part in the crossbows but neither boys fancied the pony ride on the mini knights training area. Dressing up in period costume was great fun as were the various games. The highlight was the Chevaliers (on Wednesdays) who were excellent and played pantomime-like roles and displayed some skill in the jousts. All in all a great visit for three hours or so and highly recommended if you have children.

Promoted as the castle of Richard the Lionheart, probably for the benefit of English visitors, this is an amazing structure starting with a monastic settlement and developing into a huge and complex medieval castle. We had been there about 15 years ago with our children, who had started off with the refrain “Oh! Not another Chateau!” but were quickly seduced by the dressing up and medieval games and trying on armour. This time one of those complaining ones was there with his own son - not quite five – and we could see how the child friendly presentation of some of the information (“Can you find where the toilet dropped outside the main castle walls?” is always a winner) helped to engage young minds. The almost five year old, Nicolai, enjoyed being photographed in the cut out knight’s figure, being put in the stocks, and looking down the castle well. He was disappointed that the crossbow range (shoot down the figure of a knight at 20 paces) was closed. So – quite child friendly.There’s quite a lot of the outer walling missing, but a huge tower of 4 or 5 stories still stands on its mound. You couldn’t imagine the tower being taken by an enemy: the approaches were so steep, and the defences so massive. But it was – but I think only once. Although Richard the Lionheart is the promotional hook, he seems to have spent little time in the castle, although he was Lord of Talmont among his other titles. The audio guide does a good – but slightly eccentric – job as the story is told by the building itself and it is possible to get lost in the chronology, and it’s very definitely designed for adult listeners. And, oddly, two of the stopping points with narrative are in the moat area as you walk up to the castle entrance, so you can listen to the explanation after you have seen the spot. All in all a very satisfying castle, though – especially in the high season when all the children’s activities swing into action.

Great little town and castle, and a great alternative to the beach.Would recommend a visit here, as they have a lot of activates and displays in the grounds of the castle to keep the children entertained.We also had an English guided tour of the castle which really helped bring the castle (which is fairly ruined) alive and showed you things you would have missed if you were just walking around on your own.All in all a good day out and good value for money.

A brilliant day out with the kids, good tour, cheap entry, good free or cheap entertainments.Take water if going on a hot day very little shade there.

From stilt walking, crossbow firing, tour round the castle and dressing up to falconry. All excellently provided. Mum, Dad and a 13 and 9 yr old all had an excellent day. Strongly recommended for a beach alternative.

We recently visited this castle and had an excellent day out. Inexpensive to get in, even though the price was put up because of special events (€8 an adult I think it was). Paid €1 for our little boy to become a Knight and €1 each for us all to have a go at crossbows. Excellent fun and would have been £5 or £10 each in the UK! The special event the day we visited was Jousting, with a build up show in the morning and the main display in the afternoon. Our children loved it, as did the adults! The castle itself is good, although we had a 'guided tour' in English, but the young girl who conducted it did not have the voice suited to a guided tour in a busy environment, so we soon abandoned the tour. Not sure about the recent comment about no eating in the castle. It is true there is nowhere to purchase food, but we were one of many families enjoying a picnic on the benches in place for the show.Would visit again if in the area.

Excellent attraction, have visited everytime in area. Massive castle, serious history in every stone plus added bonus this year of falconry displays and have a go at cross bow shooting etc

A great day out. Very inexpensive. Worth the extra euro for the crossbow shooting. Falconry display good even though my French isn't good enough to understand everything. No eating allowed inside the castle but plenty of space nearby and you are able to get readmitted once you have finished.

This is a beautiful place to visit. There was plenty to do inside the grounds, such as board games to play, costumes for the children to dress up in and at archery. There is also a lake nearby which is a lovely place to take a picnic. here is free parking at the lake and also across the road as you approach the lights in Talmont St Hilaire m