Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The château de la Guittière, located in Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé in the Vienne department, has its origins in the 14th century. Built on a site occupied from the upper Paleolithic, it was initially a high justice fief dependent on La Roche-Aguet. The building, marked by underlying caves, underwent major transformations in the 19th and 20th centuries, including two restoration campaigns (1887 by architect Ch. Roques, then 1893-1906 by Auguste Martin), which gave it neo-Gothic elements of Troubadour style.

In the 16th century, the castle belonged to François Bizeau, squire and seigneur of La Guittière, before passing by alliance to the family of La Tousche d'Avrigny. In 1701 Hubert de La Tousche, squire, married Marie Couhé de Lusignan, thus consolidating the owner lineage. The estate then became the property of the family of Hardivilliers by inheritance. During the Revolution in 1792, the castle was sold as a national good, marking a break in its seigneurial history.

The current architecture combines a medieval house body, a 15th or 16th century chapel, a south wing and three towers added during restorations. A fortified enclosure, including a monumental gate and a round tower, once controlled the southwest access. The remains of a massive tower remain to the west. The ensemble (logis, greenhouse, entrance castle, enclosure, towers and chapel) was listed as historical monuments on 5 December 2007, recognizing its heritage value.

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