Château de Villebois-Lavalette: a thousand years of history at the summit of Puy Sanseau

A thousand-year-old fortress

in the heart of South Charente

Perched at an altitude of almost 200 metres on Puy Sanseau, the Château de Villebois-Lavalette proudly dominates the village of Villebois-Lavalette, on the borders of the Charente and Périgord regions. Originally erected in 959 as a wooden motte castle, this fortress has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries. In the 12th century, the Lusignan family replaced the wooden structure with an imposing stone construction, complete with an enclosure flanked by seven towers. The two-storey Romanesque chapel, dating from this period, bears witness to the spiritual importance of the site. The first floor was reserved for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, while the upper floor was accessible from the seigneurial dwelling.

Over the centuries, the château has been the scene of many historic events. In 1597, Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duc d’Épernon, acquired the fortress after laying siege to it during the Wars of Religion. In 1622, the land of Villebois became a dukedom and took the name of La Valette.

In the 17th century, Philippe de Montaut-Bénac, Duc de Navailles, began building a new château in the classical style, based on the existing remains. This pleasure residence, with its park, is one of the rare examples of classical architecture in the Charente region.