Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château des Chabannes, located in Jarnac in New Aquitaine, was built in the 4th quarter of the 19th century, a period marked by the rise of bourgeois residences linked to the cognac industry. This monument is part of a landscaped park descending downhill to the river, with a terrace bounded by a stone balustrade serving as a gazebo. A basin decorated with rock and caves has been built at the foot of this terrace, adding a picturesque dimension to the whole.

The building consists of a central body framed with two rectangular wings forming a gallery open to the south, and two pavilions completed by round towers to the north, connected by a corridor. The house, built on an elevated ground floor, a floor and a top, is distinguished by a rich structure: bandages, carved friezes, and frames of open doors. Each architectural element presents original details, such as arch friezes or carved decorations.

The interior decor, made by renowned artists, includes earthenware, paintings, and ironwork. The winter lounge, the most remarkable room, is decorated with a mosaic on the floor, a stucco ceiling, glass slabs, and paintings signed by Levigne. The castle and its park were listed as Historic Monuments by order of 6 January 2003, recognizing their heritage value.

The alleged sponsor is Baptiste Vert, managing cognac companies, reflecting the link between this monument and the local economy of the time. The artisans who contributed to its decoration include the painter Théodore Léugne, the locksmith Alexandre Charpentier, and the painter-glassmaker H. Curcier, whose works still enrich this historic place.

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