Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of Puygâty is a castle located in Chaduria, Charente, about 20 km south of Angoulême. It is located close to a Cuesta of the Campanian and along the ancient Roman road linking Saintes to Périgueux, known as the Boisné Road. This strategic positioning suggests a historical importance linked to the communication axes of the medieval and modern era.

The building of the house dates back to around 1465, during the reign of Louis XI. This castle has a variety of architectural features, with parts dating back to the 15th century, such as two sled windows and a square turret with a spiral staircase. Other elements, such as the entry poterna and the commons, were added or modified in the 17th and 19th centuries, reflecting periods of restoration and adaptation.

The first historical records concern François de Lage (or Laage), lord of Puygâty and adviser to the presidial of Angoulême in the early 16th century. This character illustrates the anchoring of the home in the local aristocracy and its role in the judicial administration of the region. In the 19th century, Pierre de Arceluz was mentioned as having restored the castle, although this information requires confirmation. The house, its towers, its poterne and its enclosure were inscribed in the Historic Monuments on March 6, 1987, recognizing their heritage value.

The architecture of the Puygâty house combines defensive and residential elements. The entrance is made by a 17th century poterne, with a cochère door and a pedestrian door topped by a four-sided roof. The courtyard, surrounded by commons of the same period, is flanked by two towers, one of which is older. These features illustrate the evolution of the castle, moving from a military function to a more domestic and representative use.

The site is part of a landscape marked by Roman remains and notable geological formations, such as the Campanian Cuesta. The nearby Roman way recalls the importance of exchanges and travel in this region since ancient times. The residence of Puygâty, by its history and architecture, thus bears witness to centuries of occupation and adaptation to the needs of local lords.

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