Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Roche-Marteau, located in Roiffé, New Aquitaine, has its origins in the 11th century, although the preserved elements date mainly from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This monument, classified among the Historical Monuments, features an entrance châtelet flanked by two towers, protected by a double drawbridge and canonary arches. A line of mâchicoulis, partially preserved, crowns the whole, while a scald on foot strengthens the wall of enclosure, still marked by firemouths. These defensive devices illustrate the military architecture of transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Inside the enclosure, the ruins of a chapel are adorned with a small logis vaulted with warheads, accessible by an external screw staircase. The main house, in the shape of L, is structured around a central staircase tower and incorporates a wooden gallery unique in the region, showing a rare craftsmanship. A neo-Gothic tower, added in the 19th century, partially altered the original aspect. The site also preserves the remains of two towers to the south, recalling the past extent of the castle.

The history of the castle is linked to Henri le Jeune, the eldest son of Alienor d'Aquitaine, who would have stayed there. This connection with the Plantagenet family underlines its strategic importance in the region. The elements protected since 2005 (castle and wooden gallery) highlight its architectural heritage, mixing medieval defense and subsequent adaptations. The accuracy of its location remains moderate (level 6/10), but its official address clearly places it in the commune of Roiffé, in the former region Poitou-Charentes.

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