Abridgement domain à Bioussac en Charente

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Abrégement estate, located in Bioussac in Charente, is a former medieval fiefdom whose name would evoke a place of accommodation on a road of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Passed exclusively by direct inheritance since the 14th century, it belonged successively to the families La Rochefoucauld, Saint-Amand, Desmier, then Massacré. In 1555 Jacquette Desmier married Perceval de Volvire, and their daughter Anne brought the dowry to Guillaume Massacré in 1579.

In 1750 Marie Massacré, the last heiress, married Olivier-Mathurin d'Hémery, who had the castle rebuilt between 1750 and 1751 in a classic style inspired by the château de la Martinière in Rom, while retaining two ancient towers. An oak grove was planted at that time, now partially destroyed by the storm of 1999.

In the middle of the 19th century, the estate was radically redesigned: the East Wing was rebuilt, a gallery added to the central body, a neo-Gothic chapel and a building called The House of Aunts erected according to the plans of architect Paul Abadie. The park, which has been enlarged since 1819, now houses contemporary sculptures made from oaks killed by storm Martin.

The castle retains a remarkable interior decoration (marble fireplaces, woodwork, 18th century parquet floors) and a chapel decorated with stained glass probably representing the patron saints of the owners. The estate, still owned by the family of Hemery, has been listed as a historical monument since 2014 and has been a remarkable garden since 2009.

The gardens, redesigned by landscaper Philippe Dubreuil, mix vegetable garden, arboretum (cedars, sequoias), and modern art works. A green amphitheatre and a creek complete this park, one of the four classified in Charente. The estate is visited in summer or by appointment.

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