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Origin and history

The Château de Meux, located in Charente-Maritime on the commune of Meux, is an emblematic monument of the late 15th century, built during the period of reconstruction following the departure of the English. It embodies the flamboyant architectural style, with a polygonal roofed tower with cut strips, decorated with stone embroidery. Originally, the castle was flanked by two now missing corner towers, of which only mâchicoulis and remains of walls remain. The access is through a porch in basket handle, opening on a courtyard closed by low outbuildings with tile roofs.

The seigneury of Meux, under the county of Jonzac in Saintonge, had a succession of owners bound by matrimonial alliances. In the 13th century, Geoffroy de Meux and his son Thomas were the first lords mentioned. The land then passes by female inheritance to the Laigne family, then to the Chesnel in the 15th century. Louis Chesnel, often mistakenly credited with the construction of the castle, married Blanche de La Laigne, thus consolidating the possession of the estate. The Chesnel family, after nine generations, finally sold the castle in 1712 to Pierre Dudon, before it passed into the hands of the families of Laage and Bonnet.

In the 18th century, the castle changed hands several times: acquired by Pierre Dudon in 1712, it was ceded in 1714 to Jacques de Laage, then sold in 1719 to Antoine Bonnet, before being handed over in 1721 to Hélie de Laage. Laage's family retained the estate until 1853, when Jérôme de Laage, lieutenant-colonel and former deputy, separated from it. Turned into a farm until the 1970s, the castle was saved from the ruin by Monique Guilbaud, who undertook a 17-year restoration from 1972. Since 1975, some parts of the castle, including facades, roofs and a 15th century staircase, have been classified as historical monuments.

The castle of Meux is distinguished by its flamboyant style architecture, typical of the late Middle Ages. The main house, built of stone, is flanked by a hexagonal tower housing a spiral staircase. The interiors preserve carved chimneys and lintels dating back to the 15th century. Two corner towers, now missing, are attested by ancient engravings. The estate is accompanied by a French-style garden, recreated in the 1970s, structured around eight cone-cut yews and lawn beds, embellished with roses and charcoal. A traditional rose garden, vegetable garden and orchard complete this landscaped complex.

The land of Meux, endowed with the rights of high, medium and low justice under the Old Regime, illustrates the importance of marriage alliances in the transmission of seigneuries. The Chesnel, although attracted by the court under Louis XIII and Louis XIV, retained the estate until the early 18th century. The sale of 1712 marks the beginning of a period of rapid transitions between owners, reflecting the social and economic changes of the time. In the 19th century, the castle lost its aristocratic residential role to become a farm, before being restored in the 20th century. Today, it is only open to the public on the occasion of Heritage Days, thus preserving its historical and intimate character.

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