Château de Barbezieux

The first castle of Barbezieux, in the Charente, is recorded in the early 11th century; the present building was rebuilt around 1480. Sold during the Revolution, its south-east gatehouse was leased to the département and used as a prison until 1820. In 1845 the town bought the castle, demolished part of it and restored the rest as a hospital (until 1908), then a theatre (the present auditorium dating from around 1900). In 1922 a new building was added to the west by the architect Maurice Mignon.

Of the inner curtain wall, part of the north rampart survives, with its covered wall walk ending in a semicircular tower, along with the old barn and stable built against it. The castle once had a south-east gate between round towers, a keep to the south and a 'pavillon de la recette' to the north-west, with a real tennis court and wells nearby. The old barn and stable were converted in the mid-19th century into an Italian-style theatre and a café. Only the exterior can be visited.

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