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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The castle of Rognac is a medieval mansion built in the 13th century, located in the town of Coulonges-Cohan, in the department of Aisne (Hauts-de-France). This site, marked by a defensive architecture typical of the Central Middle Ages, bears witness to the social tensions of the time, especially through its turbulent history. The main building, of seigneurial type, was partially destroyed during a fire in the middle of the 14th century, in a context of peasant revolt.

The whole estate, now in ruins for most of it, nevertheless retains a remarkable element: the old common oven, the only vestige still standing to have enjoyed official protection. Listed as historical monuments by order of 5 June 1928, this oven illustrates the medieval community organization, where the peasants had to pay a fee to cook their bread. The site, although poorly documented, provides an overview of local feudal dynamics and conflicts that have affected the region.

The location of the castle, in a rural territory of the Hauts-de-France, reflects its strategic and economic role for the lords of Aisne. Like other manor houses of the period, it served as both an aristocratic residence, an administrative centre for the surrounding lands, and a symbol of power in the face of peasant populations. The 14th century revolts, frequent in this region, underline the tensions between the social classes and the seigneurial authority, whose castle was a direct victim.

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