Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Ponce, built around 1542 in Renaissance style, replaces an ancient feudal castle of the 11th–13th centuries, some of which remains. It was built by Jean V de Chambray and his wife Éléonore des Feugreets, completing a project perhaps initiated by his father, John IV. The estate remained in the same female line until 1895, including the Thiville, Coigne and Durcet families. Its interior staircase, adorned with 160 unique carved boxes, is considered one of the most beautiful examples of the French Renaissance.

In the 18th century, the East Pavilion was replaced by a less remarkable building, while in 1830 a 30-metre neogothic terrace, known as Terrasse Caroline, was added to isolate the castle from the village. The gardens, including a 16th century charmile maze and a plane tree planted around 1580, are preserved. The 17th century dovecote, able to house 1,800 pigeons, and the communes of 1775 complete the whole.

Ranked a historic monument in 1928 for its facades, staircase and dovecote, the castle benefits from restorations in the 20th century, notably under the impulse of Dr.Latron (owner from 1924). Gardens, terraces and interiors are protected by successive decrees between 1989 and 1999. Today, the estate combines architectural heritage and labeled landscapes Remarkable garden.

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