Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Sayette, located in the commune of Vasles en Deux-Sèvres, belongs to the family of La Sayette since the 13th century. Although the direct filiation of this family was proved only after about 1380, the castle, probably fortified in the 13th century, had a turbulent history: English occupation, siege by the Huguenots, and sale as a national good under the Revolution. He was bought in 1793 by the daughter-in-law of his former owner, an emigrant in Great Britain.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent major changes under the direction of architect Boyer. The two bodies of commons closing the court were destroyed, and a neo-Gothic chapel was erected between 1856 and 1882. These transformations marked a modernization of the building, while preserving its 15th century home, framed by two towers, witness to its medieval past.

The estate extends over a park and gardens created in the Renaissance and fixed in the 17th century, organized in four enclosures. There is a French-style garden with classical and boulingrin beds, a charmille of one hectare, a useful garden with trees in spacers, and a park with rare species. These elements, combined with the well, sundials and water-drinking-pediluvius, reflect the evolution of the tastes and uses of the places throughout the centuries.

In 2004, the house, the chapel, the communes, the drinking-house, the fence walls and the park were included in the inventory of historical monuments, thus recognizing the heritage value of the whole. Today, the castle is only visited by appointment, perpetuating its private character while opening its doors to an informed public.

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