Top 5 Castles around Magnac-Lavalette-Villars

Magnificent little Charentais village, with a small church and its garden

The extraordinary history of this grandiose residence began in 1924, in the heart of a small 19th century manor (to the left of the current façade): the troubadour castel of La Mercerie was then acquired by Alphonse and Raymond Réthoré. From then on, the two brothers, dreaming of the great Versailles, devoted all their resources to enlarging and embellishing the building. The work undertaken is commensurate with the ambition that drives it. Outside, colonnades and balusters in white stone soon extend the first building. the cut stone increases the gigantism and the rigor of a facade with a perfect rhythm. Inside, nothing is too beautiful for La Mercerie, Raymond brings back from his travels furniture and paintings, chandeliers and precious woods, marbles from Italy, azulejos from Portugal etc. He returns from Italy with a painter sculptor who will carry out on the spot the most monumental decorations with the assistance of the inhabitants of the country. The treasures are piling up, but 30 years of work will not be enough to complete the colossal project. The collections are dispersed during auctions in June 1987. When the two brothers died, the castle fell into oblivion, until the mobilization of the inhabitants of the town, who decided to found an association to safeguard this unique and prestigious heritage. The Béruges room, the central living room, the Vernet living room, the vestibule, the mahogany gallery and the large Azulejos gallery, each more impressive than the last, now fully conquers the visitor eager for cultural discoveries. A short tour of the belvedere of the castle allows you to admire it from the height. In the park of the castle, the rose garden and the arboretum can be visited by little train. The little train is random due to the health context and will be reserved for people with reduced mobility and children, and mainly on Sundays.

Pretty castle in height after a climb from Angoulême

Villebois-Lavalette castle is a real citadel overlooking the village of Villebois-Lavalette. Surrounded by a fortress with seven towers, it stands between Charente and Périgord. A medieval atmosphere floats at its approach. This medieval castle more than a thousand years old, with exceptional architecture, overlooks a charming village labeled "Small City of Character" and "capital of Cornuelle". In 1980, this old citadel was crumbling under ivy, brambles and time, a dynamic was set in motion for its restoration for 18 years. In 2000, Mr. Norbert FRADIN, promoter and patron from Bordeaux passionate about heritage and its preservation, became the owner. He is working to restore it to give it back its superb appearance, its impressive enclosure bristling with seven towers finally reveals its secrets. Something to delight all curious young and old, as well as history lovers.

Its dazzling white stone facade extends over 220 meters in length, in the middle of a 50 Ha green setting. Some rare and remarkable trees adorn the walk through the park.

Three truncated rectangular towers and beautiful vaulted rooms remain from the 13th century castle, which was extensively altered in the 17th century. The battlements on fancy battlements are from the 19th century.

It would be Chanderic, Lord of Saintes at war against the Count of Angoulême, who would have built a fortress, around the 9th century, on the rock where the current castle is located. During the Hundred Years War this castle was disputed between the French and the English. In 1387 Louis de Sancerre, Marshal of France, drove them out. The English took over the castle and were driven out again in 1416 by the Sire de Barbazan, captain of Charles VII who had it demolished. Rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century by Jean de La Rochandry, the castle passed by marriage to the Saint-Gelais in 1445, then to the Tison d'Argence and, around 1580, to the Forgues de Lavedan who had it modified and enlarged around 1613 and he gave a Renaissance look. The castle was sold in 1681 to Etienne Chérade, Count of Montbron. In the 18th century, as it threatened to ruin, the Lady of Rouffiac had part of the walls knocked down. In 1850 the banker Servant, from Angoulême, bought what remained of the castle of La Rochandry, had it rebuilt in 1852 as it is today and was ruined in this operation.

The origin of the house dates back to the 15th century. It is preceded by a 17th century portal. The chapel is the old parish church, bought in 1902 by the owner of the castle, with the old cemetery on the bedside. A square window to the south and outbuildings to the east are preserved. Facades and roofs of the castle and the chapel; portal on the street as an extension of the facade of the chapel; dovecote (square tower south of the castle); floor of the plot containing the archaeological remains, at the apse of the chapel.