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Origin and history

The Donjon de Montignac-Charente is the only significant vestige of the medieval castle built on a terrace overlooking the Charente. Built from the materials of the castle of Andone, destroyed by William II Taillefer (count of Angoulême died in 1018), it was reinforced in the 12th century by Vulgrin II Taillefer, who added a square dungeon and a enclosure. The site, strategic, controlled the crossroads of two Roman ways and a 9th century Comtal break against the Normans.

In the 12th century, the castle was disputed between Gérard de Blaye (supported by lords of Saintonge and Poitou) and Vulgrin II, allied with the Duke of Aquitaine. The latter built the present dungeon around 1140, while the round towers date from the thirteenth century. The fief passed to the Lusignans in 1220 via Hugues X, then to his son Guillaume de Valence in 1243. In the 14th century, Peter II of Amboise became its owner before its sale to the Rochefoucauld in 1399, which kept it until the Revolution.

The fortifications, modified several times, were partially dismantled around 1840. Between 1940 and 1950, the chapel of Sainte-Marie disappeared, while the priory of Saint-Étienne (founded in 1030) was demolished in 1960, with its stones used to restore the dungeon. Today, the entrance gate flanked by two round towers, remains of ramparts, and the truncated dungeon, classified as Historical Monument in 1962 remain. The underground under the dungeon and the site of the former lower courtyard (current fairground) testify to its past importance.

The castle illustrates feudal conflicts in Angoumois, between Counts of Angoulême, Viscounts of Marcillac, and lords of Saintonge. Its decline began in the 17th century, when the Rochefoucauld allowed the inhabitants to build against the walls. The current vestiges, communal property, offer a panorama of the valley and recall its role as episcopal chestnut and then Barony.

Archaeological and iconographic sources (like a watercolour of the 13th century) reveal the past existence of two now extinct pepper towers. The 15th century lintel on a door attests to late transformations, while the absence of visible ditches suggests a topographical adaptation to the dominant terrace.

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