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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Bouëx, located to the east of Angoulême in the eponymous village, is a building whose origins date back to the 15th century, with major transformations in the 17th and 18th centuries. It consists of two bodies of square houses, attached to the local church, and incorporates defensive elements such as square towers with pointed roofs. A vaulted 15th century cellar, probably contemporary of the 12th century church, bears witness to its medieval anchor. The estate also includes a remarkable orangery, sold in Bordeaux in 1893, as well as an old park and basins, now partially preserved.

The history of the castle is marked by several seigneurial families. As early as 1452, Jean de La Rochefoucauld gave the fief to Livenne's brothers. In 1629, the estate moved to Jean Arnauld, whose family, influential in Angoumois, held municipal office in Angouleme (maries between 1682 and 1723). In the 19th century, the land of Bouëx was handed over by inheritance to the Jovelle, then to the La Boutelière in the 20th century. The castle, classified as a Historic Monument in 2009, preserves Louis XIV woodwork and outbuildings organized around a quadrilateral courtyard.

Architecturally, the castle combines medieval elements (tours, cellars) and classics (façade XVII-XVIIIe, windows with broken). An isolated watch tower and commons complete the whole. The site was also used as a setting for filming, such as the final Bouquet TV movie (2010-2011). Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments covers the home, outbuildings, a private chapel and remains of the park, highlighting its heritage importance.

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