Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Peyras, located on a site occupied since the protohistoric period, is a typical example of the robust constructions of the Limousin Charente. Although medieval archives have disappeared, works have confirmed its existence before the twelfth century. The seigneury was attested from the middle of the 15th century, when the castle was rebuilt after the Hundred Years' War, as evidenced by its rectangular house and mansarded structure.

From the 15th to the 18th century, the castle belonged to the Feydeau de Peyras family, lords of Roumazières. It underwent several changes, notably in the seventeenth century with the addition of a door on the west facade, as well as in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for the interior. Originally, the castle had five towers (two squares and three rounds), only one of which remains today, with a pepper roof.

Acquired in 1977 by the Broin family, the castle was the subject of major renovations. Since then, it has been open all year round. In 1998, the Eastern House Corps and the northeast cylindrical tower were listed as historical monuments. The site also maintains a chapel with eight arcades integrated into the tower, as well as a lower room communicating with the tower.

The architecture of the castle reflects its turbulent history: a medieval defensive structure adapted to the residential needs of later eras. The structure, typical of the region with its chevrons forming firm, and flat roof tiles, recall local techniques. Despite the transformations, the castle remains a major testimony of the Charentais Castral heritage.

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