Château de Verteuil

About

The Château de Verteuil is a historic monument in Charente (France). Its construction dates back to 1080; it has been extensively modified since then, although there are still walls of the twelfth century. The castle has always belonged to the La Rochefoucauld family.

During the Hundred Years War (1337–53), the castle was occupied several times by the English. It was demolished in 1442 but was quickly rebuilt using the original stones. During the Wars of Religion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the castle was a strong place for the Huguenots.

During the episode of La Fronde in 1650, it was partially demolished by the royal troops. Another castle was rebuilt, but suffered extensive damage during a fire in 1793 during the French Revolution. The castle was renovated in romantic style after the restoration of the Bourbons in 1815, and has been substantially modified since then.

The castle was classified as a historic monument on March 31, 1966, and obtained its full protection on November 19, 2010. Designed on a triangular plane, it features five conical towers and a watch tower with slate roofs. Archaeologists have discovered traces of older buildings on...