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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château d'Orfeuille, located in the commune of Gourgé in Les Deux-Sèvres, has its origins in a land mentioned in the fourteenth century. The first castle, probably built in the 14th century, was destroyed by fire in the 15th and 17th centuries. The remains were thoroughly rebuilt in the 17th century, giving birth to the present building, before being partially restored between 1893 and 1899 under the direction of architect Barbaud.

The 19th-century works, carried out between 1893 and 1899, were designed to restore the castle to its davantan chandelier while integrating stylistic elements of the period. Together, including the castle, its communes, its portals, as well as the courtyard and terrace, was listed as historical monuments on 3 June 1996. This protection covers both built and outdoor areas, emphasizing the heritage importance of the site.

The Orfeuille castle thus illustrates a turbulent history, marked by repeated destructions and successive reconstructions. Its current architecture reflects these temporal strata, mixing 17th and 19th century elements. The mention of land as early as the 14th century suggests an ancient occupation of the site, although the most significant physical traces date from later periods.

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