Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Château de Villars-Marange à Mérignac en Charente

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château
Charente

Château de Villars-Marange

    Impasse du Seringua 
    16200 Mérignac
Château de Villars-Marange
Château de Villars-Marange
Château de Villars-Marange
Château de Villars-Marange
Château de Villars-Marange
Crédit photo : Jack ma - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1520
Sale to Jean de Fontenay
XVe siècle
Construction of the chestnut
Début XVIe siècle
First mention of the fief
1666
Sale to Annet de La Charlonrie
1875
Acquisition by Amédée Duclou
7 mars 2007
Registration historical monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The old buildings (logis, except the west extension, former châtelet with its appentis, common north to vaulted ground floor) in full (Box B 506): inscription by order of 7 March 2007

Key figures

Marguerite Portier - Lady of Gademoulins Sell the estate in 1520.
Jean de Fontenay - Counselor of the King Acquire the castle in 1520.
Hélie Dussault - Lord of Birac Owner in the 16th century.
Annet de La Charlonnerie - Noble purchaser Purchase in 1666 for two centuries.
Amédée Duclou - Trading in brandy Owner from 1875 to 1959.

Origin and history

Villars-Marange Castle, also known as Villars Castle, is located in the hamlet of Villars, on the commune of Mérignac, in Charente (New Aquitaine). This monument, registered since March 7, 2007, consists of a 15th century entrance castle and a 17th century residence, reflecting two distinct architectural epochs. Its location, close to the old Postway linking Paris to Bordeaux, highlights its historical importance in regional exchanges.

The fief of Villars-Marange, mentioned from the 16th century, originally belonged to the family of Villars, vassal of the Counts of Angoulême. In 1520, Marguerite Portier, heir of the estate, sold it to Jean de Fontenay, king's adviser. The castle then passed into the hands of several noble families, including the Dussaults (XVIth-17th centuries) and the Charlonneries (from 1666 onwards), which kept it for two centuries. These changes of property illustrate the seigneurial dynamics of the Charente.

The architecture of the castle blends defensive elements (breek, pregnant) and residential elements (stairs, chapel transformed into commons). The facades, decorated with pinnacles and carved niches, bear witness to local stylistic influences, comparable to other Charente castles such as Bouteville or Fleurac. In the 19th century, reshuffles added ornamental parapets, while the chapel, very modified, lost its religious function.

Over the centuries, the estate changed its vocation: sold in 1875 to Amédée Duclou, trading in brandies, he remained in his family until 1959, before moving to the current owners of Brou de Laurie. Its inscription in historical monuments in 2007 protects its oldest elements, including the chestnut, the main house and the vaulted communes, thus preserving an emblematic Charentais heritage.

External links