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Origin and history

Le logis de Tesse is a former house in the commune of La Forêt-de-Tesse, north of the Charente department, in New Aquitaine. Dated from the 11th or 12th centuries, it was extended to the 15th century, then modified in the 19th century. This monument illustrates the architectural evolution of a medieval building, marked by successive construction and transformation phases.

The seigneury of Tesse belonged to the Corgnol family, vassal of the lord of Raix. A document of 1454 attests that Louis Corgnol paid tribute to this land. His grandson, François Corgnol, was the squire of the lord of Ruffec during the wars of King Charles VII. The family preserved the seigneury until the 18th century, marking the local history by its seigneurial influence.

The house was enlarged between 1822 and 1826 and protected as a historical monument by an order of 23 December 1994. Since 1995, the Arsimed Association has been carrying out restoration work to preserve this heritage. The square dungeon, probably of the 11th century, and elements of the 15th century, such as the entrance door, the monumental chimney and the "English" frame, still remain today.

The potential destructions during the Hundred Years' War are not documented, but the visible architectural traces, such as the dust bays of the southern facade, offer an overview of its original appearance. The restoration of the 19th century also left its mark, mixing several epochs in a single building.

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