Get spooked in France’s most-haunted chateau

Autumn is fully upon us, along with the mists of October. This is the perfect time to head to Vienne, a 50-minute drive southeast of Poitiers, where you will find the unassuming village of Queaux. 

Home to around 500 inhabitants, it is unique for several reasons, and has the unusual claim of being the only village in the whole of France to be called Queaux (pronounced ‘Koh’).

Nestling in the valley of the River Vienne, the village’s terracotta rooftops and cobbled side streets stand out against a backdrop of lush woodland, meadows, vineyards and swathes of fertile agricultural land.

This wealth of resources and the strategic geographical position of Queaux between Poitiers and Limoges explains why this modest village is home to three different castles. 

The first, Château de la Messelière, is privately owned and not open to the public as it remains a family home. 

The second, Château de Chamousseau, was inhabited as early as 1314. In the 1400s, this building belonged to the same family as the Château de la Messelière and the owner, Guy Frotier, had the energy and funds to work on rebuilding both properties at the same time. 

Chamousseau remained in the family until the French Revolution in 1789, after which it was taken over by the state and used to store agricultural supplies. It fell partly into ruin, but retained its authentic architecture and in 2017, an association assumed responsibility for its preservation and restoration. They hold regular cultural fundraising events (that they publicise on the chateau’s Facebook page).

The third castle is the star, as Château de Fougeret is said to be the most haunted chateau in France.

Paranormal experiences

Fougeret has been the subject of several documentaries on the paranormal, opening its oversized doors to visitors brave enough to face the possibility of other-worldly encounters. 

Like its sister castles in the village, Fougeret dates from at least the 1300s, was rebuilt in the 1450s and abandoned during the French Revolution. At this point, the local mayor set up home here and it has mostly been inhabited ever since, preserving many of its architectural features including a Gothic fireplace, stone staircase, vaulted ceilings and various frescoes. 

The chateau was purchased in 2009 by Véronique and François Geffroy after the previous owners mysteriously left it uninhabited for several decades.

During the first months, both Véronique and her husband had strange experiences such as seeing figures, sensing a touch on the shoulder or feeling sudden, intense emotions, but they did not talk to each other about it. She also received various letters from people who had visited the chateau and had experienced strange phenomena.

When a TV crew came to film a heritage programme at Fougeret, the journalist sensed the eerie atmosphere, and put Véronique in touch with a medium, and although she was sceptical, Véronique invited the medium to visit. That visit, along with subsequent research into the disturbing history of previous occupants, helped to confirm Fougeret’s spooky reputation.

Book an overnight stay

Since then, the owners have accepted the curious happenings and have opened the chateau for conferences on the paranormal and to individual visitors.

You can book an overnight stay or opt for the full experience including a tour with a medium. Prices start at €100 per person.

Be prepared to hear giggles or whispers from a long-deceased little girl, glimpse the figure of a bowler-hatted gentleman or see objects move of their own accord. 

You are forewarned that you might not get a good night’s rest!