Le Chateau de la roche Courbon

Prehistoric objects have been found in the caves located beneath the present building proving that in paleolithic times they were inhabited during the Mousterian, Aurignacian and Magdalenian ages. In other parts of the forest traces of the walls of a Gallo-roman village surrounding this château can be found. And built long before the present dwelling are the remains of the 11th Century fortifications. The place was called Romette in those days.

Two main parts of the present château which included four strong towers and a huge keep were built In 1475 by Jehan II de Latour. This château was built on a rocky outcrop in the shape of a triangle with the marshland as a natural defence. To the North, the Fuye tower acted as defence. It was unthinkable to build a château other than a fortified and defensive one after three centuries of fighting off the English in the region.

In 1603 Romette was freed from a 130 year old joint possession thanks to Jacques de Courbon, having married Jeanne de Gombaud in 1595. It was then that the terms "La Roche" and "Courbon" gave rise to "La Roche Courbon" which became the name of the place.

In the seventeenth century, la Roche Courbon was transformed by Jean-Louis de Courbon, grandson of Jacques, as can be seen in the painting of the Dutch painter Jan Hackaert.

For the first time daylight poured into the building when wide windows are installed to east and west and the roof gained dormer style openings. Supported by five Tuscan pillars, a balcony is constructed on arches. To reach the gardens there is a double staircase, in the gardens of the property the bruant river runs and joins to the Charente river a few kilometres away.

It is believed that a large part of the building was destroyed by fire in the eighteenth century the property was nearly abandoned until when the marquis Sophie-Jacques de Courbon regained the family property in 1785. He moved into the château and undertook a series of improvements including the huge stone staircase leading to the upper storeys of the vestibule.

Following financial difficulties after the french revolution, the owners went bankrupt and this incredible property was left empty for decades. It was only in 1920 that a local entrepreneur called Paul Chénereau who was born just down the road in Echillais promised that he would save la Roche Courbon. So with his father and one of his brothers they took on the massive task of restoring the Chateau de la Roche Courbon and he created the "Société du Domaine de La Roche Courbon" and made the place what it is today.

The château was renovated and furnished from 1928 to 1939. Beneath the wooden rafters Paul Chénereau built a chapel in the form of an inverted ship's hull dedicated to St. Michael and in an unused barn he created a theatre enhanced by a balustrade staircase and a seventeenth century door. The stunning painted room which had been badly damaged by the dampness was restored. Gradually the French gardens which can be admired from the château came into existence.

The property, a historical monument, had been partly listed in 1925. After the second world war, the totality of the estate including the gardens and park, was made a historical monument and in 1946 it was opened to the public to create an income. It was magical for the local people to discover its resurrection. In the sixties Paul Chénereau presented a superb "Sound and Light" performance with actors from the Comédie Française.

In 1967 he entrusted his children Marie-Jeanne et Jacques Badois the responsibility of maintaining the estate. With financial support from the government three areas of the building were restored : the north tower, the roof of the main building and the south tower. Then the north outhouses were restored.

The most recent step in the reinforcement of the walls and the restoration of the frame and roof was carried out during the winter of 2006-2007. In October 1990 a 750 m2 building was devastated by a fire. It is now restored and used for professional and family events.

Visit le Château de La Roche Courbon

17250 Saint-Porchaire

Phone : 05 46 95 60 10

Open everyday 9am to 7pm from june to september and from 9am to 7pm october to may.

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