Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montjourdain, also called logis de Mont Jourdain, is located in the commune of Chassors, in Charente, near Jarnac and Cognac. This monument of the fourth quarter of the eighteenth century is part of a wine landscape marked by bourgeois mansions. The house, isolated from the place known as Montjourdin, is distinguished by its neo-classical architecture in stone and Charente tile, typical of the rich properties of cognac merchants.

Prior to the Revolution, the Montjourdain fief depended on Jarnac County, which was subject to a symbolic feudal duty. In 1771, the estate was acquired by Jean Guillé, a merchant at Cognac, who had the current home built around 1790. The building, rectangular, features triangular and curvilinear frontons, as well as seven windows per floor, reflecting the Bordeaux influence in the area.

In the 19th century, the property, fragmented, changed hands frequently. Abandoned during World War II, the home was occupied by refugees and fell into ruin. In 1965, an owner began his restoration, culminating in his inscription in the Historic Monuments on June 7, 1968 for his facades and roofs. Today, although private, the site sometimes hosts cultural events.

The history of the castle is marked by influential families: the Martins, lawyers of the king, the Laisnés, local lords, then the La Charlonnerie and Poujaud de Chaignet, before its acquisition by Guillé. These successive owners illustrate the social and economic evolution of the Charente, linked to the trade of cognac and the rise of the merchant bourgeoisie.

Architecturally, the castle is distinguished by its slightly protruding forebody, its pediments adorned with doculi, and its cornice continues. These elements, combined with the use of the Charente tile, make this a remarkable example of regional neoclassicism. Although not open to the public, the house remains a testimony of the golden age of wine houses between Cognac and Angoulême.

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