サン・ソルナンのおすすめランニングルート

15th century stone bridge known as that of the Château de la Rochefoucauld. From the building, there is a superb view of the imposing castle and the waters of the Tardoire. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1935. The castle, renowned for being one of the most beautiful and oldest in Charente, can be visited all year round. It is the only castle in France that has been inhabited by the same family for more than 1,000 years. Do not miss !

In the heart of Charente, the Château de la Rochefoucauld stands like a page of history mixed with an enchanted tale. Built around the 16th century on the site of an 11th century fortress, this gem has been cherished by the same family since its earliest days. And that’s something! Strolling through its rooms or admiring the landscape from its towers, you feel the weight of history. It's as if the castle whispers to us both history lessons and stories of adventure.

This magical 16th century Renaissance castle is built on an 11th century fortress whose towers have been preserved. The castle and its gardens have been classified as a historical monument since 1955. Definitely worth the short detour!

Appearing in 1019 with Foucauld, lord of La Roche, the La Rochefoucauld family has long been considered a branch of the Lusignan, due to the similarity of their arms. It seems, in reality, that Foucauld was a close relative of the Viscount of Limoges, descendant of a Grand of the court of Charlemagne. Only four other families in France (including that of the Capetians) can claim such seniority. The history of the castle is inseparable from the history of the La Rochefoucauld family which, itself, is part of the political life of its time, century after century. The castle of La Rochefoucauld provides a remarkable illustration of the interweaving of politics and architecture through the life of a family which has continuously owned the castle since Fucaldus laid the first fortification around 980. With the history of the La Rochefoucauld family, the use of architecture for social and political purposes finds one of its most spectacular manifestations. This earned it the justified title of “pearl of Angoumois”. The castle is an anthology of seven centuries of architecture and the home of the La Rochefoucauld family, still present for over a thousand years. To see: the monumental Renaissance staircase (108 steps!), the boudoir of Marguerite de Valois, the kitchens dug into the karst, the state rooms, guards, the 18th century libraries, the main courtyard and its galleries from the 16th.

Two paths allow access to the castle. The first is a ford over the Tardoire; the second is a path coming from Montbron. The facade of the castle presents, on the left, in the interior courtyard, two superimposed galleries. The upper gallery, in wood, rests on the three broken arches of the lower gallery. The castle is docked with pepper shakers. To the north are the outbuildings of the farm. Entrance into the building is from the north, through a door pierced in the west turret, a door adorned with prismatic moldings and which opens onto a spiral staircase leading to the upper rooms. To the west, a vast uncrown tower could have served as a keep for the old castle.

The weir system directly below is in need of renovation. The water gushes out from under the weir!