Château de Neuvicq-le-Château

The Château de Neuvicq, at Neuvicq-le-Château in the Charente-Maritime, is a fine example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Illustrious families lived here, including the La Rochandry de Bastarnay, Montespan and La Laurencie families.

It was built in 1478 on the foundations of an old fortress. It has a large three-storey main building above a vast vaulted cellar used as a kitchen, with a 15th-century fireplace. It is flanked at its north-east and south-east corners by two large pepper-pot towers with richly decorated crenellations and machicolations. In the 17th century a Renaissance pavilion and a hexagonal stair tower were added. Despite the partial destruction of the oldest part in 1850, the 15th-century main building remains intact, with 15th- and 17th-century panelling and fireplaces.

Bought by the commune in 1904, the château houses the town hall and was listed as a historic monument in 1912. In summer it hosts cultural exhibitions and is open to visitors in the afternoons.

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