Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The château de la Vervollière, located in Coussay-les-Bois in the department of Vienna (New Aquitaine), was built in the 4th quarter of the 15th century and modified in the 16th century. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1920 for its remarkable architecture, including its flamboyant Gothic door with detailed sculptures. This castle belonged to the Plessis family, the ancestors of the famous cardinal of Richelieu, which gives him a major historical importance in the region.

The site retains remains of a fortified enclosure and towers connected to the main building. The main tower houses several rooms with fireplaces, while the inner courtyard once had a chapel, a stairhouse and a gallery (now destroyed). A small door connected this gallery to a vaulted room of the tower, and mâchicoulis remained as defensive elements. The entrance door to the staircase, very decorated, bears witness to the care given to the decoration.

The castle is located in a rural town marked by agricultural history and Gallo-Roman remains, such as those of the Châtelliers. The region, exposed to an altered oceanic climate, also experienced tragic episodes during the Second World War, with executions of resistance fighters and German soldiers in 1944. However, the castle itself is not directly mentioned in these events.

Today, the Château de la Vervollière remains an emblematic example of Renaissance civil architecture, mixing medieval heritage and late Gothic influences. Its classification among historical monuments underlines its heritage value, both for its history linked to a noble family and for its preserved architectural elements, such as the ogival chapel integrated into the estate.

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