Château de Merpins

Château de Merpins, is a ruined castle in Merpins, Charente-Maritime, France. The castle is built atop rocky outcrop overlooking the double confluence of the Ne, Charente and Antenne.

Fortifications have existed since the Neolithic period. In the 10th century the manor belonged to the Taillefer, counts of Angoulême. In 1179, the castle was taken by Richard, Duke of Aquitaine and given to his illegitimate son Philippe de Falcombridge. Philippe sold the castle to King John of England in 1204. His son King Henry III of England gave the castle to Hugh X de Lusignan, lord of Cognac, husband of Isabelle d'Angouleme. In 1308 Merpins was united to the French crown, however under the Treaty of Brétigny of 1360, the castle returned to English hands.