Château de la Roche-Courbon

Château de La Roche-Courbon, Charante-Maritime

The Château de la Roche-Courbon is a 15th century castle located in the commune of Saint-Porchaire in the Charente-Maritime Département of France. The castle is privately owned, and classified as an historic monument. The garden is listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France.

Description

The interior of the castle contains decor from the 17th century, in particular a bathroom covered with painted wood panels and sculptures from 1662,^[1]

The chateau has a Garden à la française, redone in 1936-1939, featuring a terrace with an Italian gallery, a monumental stairway, a parterre with four compartments and a fountain; topiary, and statues.

History

The castle was built around 1475 by Jehan de Latour, on site which had been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 17th century, the Courbon family, which had occupied the castle for two centuries, transformed the castle into a more comfortable residence. More alterations were made in the 18th century, but the castle was eventually sold in 1817 and then abandoned. It was purchased in 1920 by Paul Chénereau, who restored the castle and its gardens. The castle is still owned and inhabited by his descendants.^[2]

References

1. ^ Le Guide du Patrimoine en France
2. ^ 'Le Guide du Patrimoine en France, Editions du Patrimoine, Centres des Monuments Nationaux, 2009

Bibliography

• Le Guide du Patrimoine en France, Editions du Patrimoine, Centres des Monuments Nationaux, 2009

External links

• Official Site of the Chateau
• Site of the French Committee of Parks and Gardens

Coordinates: 45°50′10″N 0°46′53″W / 45.83611°N 0.78139°W / 45.83611; -0.78139