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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Fournils Castle is a neo-Renaissance building built between 1858 and 1860 at the request of Félix Piston d'Eaubonne, according to the plans of architect Henri Duphot. It replaces an old castle that is now gone, some of which still remain. The estate extends over the communes of Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes and Beaupouyet, near Martarieux Creek, and is distinguished by its corbelled turrets, its cross-lined bays and a ditch surrounding the building. The facades are richly decorated with sculptures, while the interior houses a large staircase, monumental fireplaces and period equipment such as a lift or a kitchen in the basement.

During the First World War, the castle served as a military hospital, testifying to its role in the war effort. In June 1940, he also hosted the command post of the 3rd Light Cavalry Division during his retirement. Acquired in 1913 by the family of current owners, the estate includes outbuildings converted into houses (old stables, houses, workshops) and a chapel. The park and castle, listed as a picturesque site in 1980, were protected as historical monuments in April 2022.

The agricultural estate attaches to the castle is renowned for its wine production developed according to a Champagne method. Today, the castle serves as a secondary residence, while its outbuildings, partly converted, house members of the owner family. Its architecture, combining Renaissance elegance and functionality, makes it a remarkable example of the 19th century heritage in New Aquitaine.

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