Construction of the current castle 1860–1862 (≈ 1861)
Replacement of a 17th century building.
4 décembre 1995
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 4 décembre 1995 (≈ 1995)
Protection of facades, lounges and gallery.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fronts and roofs of the castle; the two living rooms and the south dining room, located on the ground floor, with their decor, including the blood decor; gallery with its hangings; facades and roofs of the communes; terraces located to the south (cad. D 177, 178): registration by order of 4 December 1995
Key figures
Constantin Guys - Painter
Author of blood on the hunt.
Origin and history
The Château de la Roche, located in Argenton-l'Église in Les Deux-Sèvres (New Aquitaine), is a monument dating from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century, built between 1860 and 1862. In neo-Renaissance style, it replaces an older building, probably from the seventeenth century, which it partially reuses the east-west wing. The body of rectangular houses, flanked by a hexagonal tower and two pavilions, is inspired by the Renaissance architectural repertoire, with pilaster-adorned windows, pedimented windows, and interior decorations such as 17th-century hangings or blood attributed to Constantin Guys.
The castle has been listed as a historical monument since 4 December 1995, protecting its facades, roofs, decorated lounges, and the north gallery. The preserved elements, such as the chimneys and works of Guys, bear witness to his rich past. Today, the site belongs to a private company, and its opening to the public (visits, rentals) is not specified in the available sources.
The building, built in tuffeau, illustrates the architectural eclecticism of the Second Empire, mixing historical reinterpretation and bourgeois comfort. The commons, terraces, and interior decorations (such as hunting scenes) highlight its residential and artistic character. Sources indicate a precise location (5085 Cht de la Roche) and a satisfactory geolocation assessment (note 8/10).
