Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château Saint-Martial, built between 1882 and 1884 in Jarnac, replaces an old house acquired by the Bisquit family, merchants in cognac, in the years 1840-1850. Alexandre Bisquit, founder of the line, established a first residence there around 1850, then taken over by his son-in-law Adrien Dubouché, collector of art and founder of the museum of Limoges. The latter, close to the Parisian artistic circles, transmitted the estate to Maurice Laporte-Bisquit, mayor of Jarnac from 1889, who decided to build the current castle, designed by architect Henri Parent.

The castle, originally called "des Chabannes", adopts a neo-Renaissance style with an H-shaped plan, polygonal towers and facades decorated with ceramics in homage to Adrien Dubouche. A majestic metal greenhouse, now extinct, was originally complete together. In 1914, Solange Laporte-Bisquit established a hospital for wounded soldiers, and in 1919, the estate hosted a Republican banquet celebrating the centenary of Bisquit House and the end of the First World War.

Purchased by the Paul Ricard group in 1966, the castle undergoes transformations, including the demolition of the old winter garden around 1970-1975. It then houses the Leroux collection of paintings, given to the Ricard Foundation in 1984. Sold in 2001, it is now transformed into guest rooms after major work. Joined historic monuments since 2014, it illustrates the golden age of cognac traders and their architectural heritage.

The interior architecture is distinguished by a monumental stone staircase with wrought iron ramp, carved fireplaces and gilded woodwork. The park, protected with its decorative elements (fontaines, statues), completes this ensemble representative of 19th century wine castles in Charente. The estate also includes commons and a billiard room, witnesses to its fascinating past.

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