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Origin and history

The Château de la Salle, located in Colombiers, has its origins in the 14th century, although the remains of this period are today limited to the foundations and the western tower. The present construction, of late medieval style, dates mainly from the 15th century, when François de Saint-Avit, adviser to King Charles VII, undertook the reconstruction of it. This body of cruciform houses, marked by a semi-octogonal staircase turret, reflects the seigneurial architecture of the time, mixing defensive and residential function.

In the 17th century, the castle was deeply marked by the disturbances of the Fronde. Owned by the family of Bigny, favorable to the party of Condé, he underwent mutilations on royal order, losing notably a shaved floor. The restoration took place in the second half of the century, with the addition of skylights and the reconstruction of the entrance gate, giving the monument its present appearance. The elements protected today, such as the 15th century chimneys or the portal, bear witness to these successive transformations.

The estate is organized around an entrance courtyard surrounded by a guardhouse and agricultural buildings, illustrating the evolution of the castle in seigneurial residence and then in mixed operation. Although partially altered by conflicts, the chateau de la Salle preserves significant architectural traces of its past, from its medieval foundations to its classical amenities. Its inscription in the Historical Monuments in 1987 protects these remains, offering an overview of five centuries of local and national history.

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