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Origin and history

The château de Chambonneau, located in Gizay, New Aquitaine, has its origins in a complex military and seigneurial history. The site, initially a third century square Roman camp (275 AD) named Campus Bonus, was transformed into a merovingian stronghold near Miosson. In the 10th century, the abbey of Ligugé donated it to Guy de Gençay (951), founding a seigneurial lineage. In 1157, Alienor of Aquitaine split the estate into two distinct fiefs: the Grands-Bois de Chambonneau (vassals of the bishop of Poitiers) and the strong house (vassal of the king of France), explaining the duality of the symbols like the two pigeons.

The construction of the present castle was ordered by Philippe VI between 1335 and 1345, entrusted to Jean Froutier de Melzéard and his wife Mahaut de Vivonne, heiress of Lusignan. Close to the Battlefield of Poitiers (1356), Chambonneau went without combat to the Anglo-Gascons after the French defeat. The Black Prince and John II the Good dine there before the king's captivity. Reprised by Du Guesclin in 1373, the castle was remodeled under Louis XI by Guy Frotier, who added a south wing and softened his defenses. The Frotier family kept it until 1583, when François de Blom, convicted of homicide, had to sell it at auction.

Acquired by François Palustre (mary of Poitiers and leaguer), Chambonneau was besieged in 1588 during the Wars of Religion. Palustre built a chapel and a south pavilion. His great-grandson, César Palustre, adjusted in 1686 a third pavilion and enriched the chapel of a classical pediment with family arms. Sold in 1764 to René-Charles de Liniers (descent of the founders), the seigneury thus returned to its original line. In the 19th century, the General of the Abadie d'Aydrein had the facades restored in a troubadour style (1865–75), while in the 20th century the Counts of Beaucorps-Créquy, heirs to the Guitard de Gençay, saved the castle from ruin.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1964, Chambonneau was open to the public until 2015. During the Second World War, his estate served as a refuge for more than 300 people fleeing the occupation, thanks to the network of the parish priest of Gizay. The castle thus illustrates eleven centuries of Poitevin history, mixing military strategies, seigneurial rivalries and architectural adaptations, from Lusignan to Beaucorps-Créquy.

Architecturally, the castle combines a medieval quadrangular plan (round towers, 26 m dungeon) with Renaissance and classical developments. The moats, fed by the Miosson, surround a pleasant garden preceded by two farms in L (17th century) and pigeon trees symbolizing feudal duality. The modifications of the 19th century, like the neo-Gothic windows, reflect the romantic taste for troubadour style.

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