town, Vienne département, Poitou-Charentes région, west-central France. It lies north-northeast of Poitiers, on the main road from Paris to Bordeaux. Situated on the Vienne River, it derives its name from a 10th-century castle built by the 2nd Viscount Airaud of the district. The Henri IV bridge over the Vienne River was built between 1575 and 1611. The 16th-century Maison des Sybilles, where the French philosopher René Descartes spent his childhood, houses a museum devoted to him. There is also a museum of the automobile. Cutlery was first manufactured at Châtellerault in the 14th century. There is also a long tradition of armaments manufacture. Other more recent manufactures include vehicle components and machinery. Châtellerault is also an administrative and commercial centre. Pop. (1999) 34,126; (2005 est.) 34,100.