Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize, built between 1522 and 1568, is a jewel of the Renaissance in Poitou. Initiated by Geoffroy d'Estissac, bishop of Maillezais, and completed by his nephew Louis d'Estissac, he embodies the Italian influence and cultural development of the region. His original plan, perhaps modified around 1540 by an anonymous architect from Oiron, includes an east wing, a chapel, and an arcade gallery. The site was completed in 1568, although a north-west wing could be projected unsure.

The castle is marked by major historical events: in 1569, the royal family (Charles IX, Catherine de Medici, Henri III and Marguerite de Valois) stayed there during Christmas holidays after the Battle of Saint John-d-Angely. Piled and partially demolished in the 18th century, it saw its decorative elements saved in the 19th century by Octave de Rochebrune, who transferred them to the castle of Newfoundland at Fontenay-le-Comte. These rooms, such as box ceilings or carved chimneys, are always kept there.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle houses a communal school, a college, and even a peace court in its chapel. Ranked a historical monument in 1994 (after partial registration in 1993), it has been owned by the town hall since 1933. Today, he visits the summer and reveals his complex history, from the wars of Religion to his current vocation. Its semi-entered kitchens, decorated with refined sculptures (including key vaults representing Medusa), remain a riddle for historians, as their decor contrasts with their utility function.

The d'Estissac family, originally from Aunis, plays a central role in its history. Amaury d'Estissac (†1457), Sénéchal of Poitou and companion of Jeanne d'Arc, acquired the seigneury in 1447. His nephew Jean de Madaillan d'Estissac, chamberlain of Charles de Guyenne, then his descendants Bertrand (military close to the kings of France) and Geoffroy (bishop and protector of Rabelais), shaped the castle. Louis de Madaillan d-Estissac, son of Bertrand, and his wife Anne de Daillon completed the construction, as evidenced by their monograms on the decorations.

The regional architect Liénard de la Réaux is associated with this masterpiece, although uncertainties persist on the initial plane. The castle, initially squared with corner pavilions, today only retains one wing in square and remains of the south gallery. Its connection with Fontenay-le-Comte, an intellectual home of the Renaissance, and its proximity to religious conflicts (such as the presence of the court in 1569) make it a symbol of the upheavals of the era.

Future

Today it houses the town hall and the tourist office of the commune.

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