Date

Circa 1910

The palace began as the seat of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine in the tenth through twelfth centuries. The first palace of Poitiers was completely destroyed by a fire in 1018. The palace was completely rebuilt, straddling the city wall, by the Count-Dukes of Aquitaine, then at the pinnacle of their power. In 1104, Count William IX added a donjon (Tour Maubergeon) on the town side. Between 1191 and 1204, Eleanor of Aquitaine fitted up a vast dining hall, the Salle des Pas Perdus. This palace was again damaged by fire; in 1384-1386 Jean I, Duc de Berry, who was also Count of Poitiers, rebuilt part of the palace. The palace was restored, remodeled (and partially destroyed) in the 19th century. It was used as a judicial court from ca. 1418 into the 19th century.