Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Castle of Javarzay à Chef-Boutonne dans les Deux-Sèvres

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château de style Renaissance
Deux-Sèvres

Castle of Javarzay

    9 Avenue des Fils Fouquaud
    79110 Chef-Boutonne
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Château de Javarzay
Crédit photo : Henri MOREAU - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1514
Renaissance reconstruction
1655
Purchase by La Rochefoucauld
1712
Acquisition by Phelypeaux
1820-1824
Partial Demolition
1854
Construction of orangery
1862
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Château de Javarzay (Box B 1073 to 1082, 1087, 1123, 1279, 1280): listed in 1862

Key figures

Famille de Rochechouart (branche de Chandeniers) - Initial sponsors Rebuilders of the castle in 1514.
Famille de La Rochefoucauld-Roye - Owners in 1655 Buyers of the estate in the 17th century.
Jérôme Phélypeaux - State Secretary of the Navy Buyer in 1712, linked to La Rochefoucauld.
Chrétien Guillaume de Lamoignon de Malesherbes - Advocate for Louis XVI Former owner of the castle.
Jean-François Cail - Industrial 19th century Born in Chef-Boutonne, exposed to the castle.
Eléonore-Christine de La Rochefoucauld - Wife of Jérôme Phélypeaux Family connection with Chef-Boutonne.
Membres de la maison de Rochechouart (branche de Chandeniers) - Castle builders Sponsors of the Renaissance Building in 1514.

Origin and history

The castle of Javarzay, located in Chef-Boutonne in the Deux-Sèvres, is one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance architecture in the region. Originally, a medieval castle surrounded by twelve towers today preserves only two. In 1514, he was reborn by the family of Rochechouart (the branch of Chandeniers), and then passed into the hands of prestigious lines, including the La Rochefoucauld-Roye, the Pontchartrain, and Malesherbes, a lawyer for Louis XVI.

In 1655 the family of La Rochefoucauld-Roye acquired the estate, followed in 1712 by Jérôme Phélypeaux, secretary of state of the Navy, whose wife was a La Rochefoucauld. The castle, partially dismantled between 1820 and 1824 (disappearance of the enclosure and sculptures), saw its right wing rebuilt in 1820 and its orangery added in 1854. Ranked as a historical monument in 1862, it combines feudal elements (tourelles, mâchicoulis) and Renaissance (windows, carved chapel).

The current estate includes, in addition to the castle, an arboretum, an artificial pond, a barn transformed into a museum space, and a gite. Its park, freely accessible, offers walks along the Boutonne River, picnic areas, and a motorhome area. The castle now houses exhibitions on the Renaissance, rural life of the 19th century, and local industrialist Jean-François Cail, born in Chef-Boutonne.

The architecture, inspired by the castles of the Loire, is distinguished by its courtyard entrance castle, its feudal staircase turret, and an exceptional structure. The chapel, with recently restored stained glass windows, and the large crenellated tower surmounted by a conical roof testify to its past prestige. The site also includes local discovery circuits, such as the V93 (Niort-Vassivière bike-route) and fun Terra Aventura-style trails.

Owned by prominent figures in the history of France (ministers of Louis XIV, defenders of the monarchy), the castle of Javarzay embodies both an architectural heritage and a place of memory. Its 19th century regional cap collections and its space dedicated to Liberation (Espace Ernest Desmarest) enrich its cultural offer, rooted in local and national history.

Future

Open for free to the public every day of the year, a park surrounds the castle.

External links

Conditions of visit

  • Conditions de visite : Ouvert toute l'année
  • Période d'ouverture : Horaires, jours et tarifs sur le site du château ci-dessus.