Château de Sarzay

Sarzay, France

The Château de Sarzay is a 14th-century castle in the village of Sarzay. This imposing medieval fortress comprises 38 towers and three drawbridges. Numerous furnished rooms maintain their historical authenticity. From the tops of the towers, with their superb carpentry, one can discover the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Restored deep moats, the chapel and the hall complete the beauty of the site.

The manor of Sarzay belonged to the Barbançois family since the middle of the 14th century. They were a family of knights whose sons distinguished themselves in the battles of the Hundred Years War. The family built the castle and remained owners until 1720. Their title was promoted to marquis in 1651.

To begin with, the castle was open ground circled by a ditch and defended by an enclosure of which the only remnant is a chapel-tower. In 1360, the lord of Sarzy, Guillaume de Barbançois, fought the English outside the nearby town of La Châtre, before looting the town. Sarzay was at the edge of the kingdom of France, facing the English possessions of Poitou, Limousin and Aquitaine, and thus formed part of the first line of defence of the kingdom. Around 1440, Jean de Barbançois constructed a hall flanked with five towers, one of which served the various floors. The towers were crowned with machicolations. The castle contained the English invasion. Surviving intact from the Hundred Years War, the Wars of Religion, the Fronde and the French Revolution, it is today one of the most photographed monuments in France.

The castle on two hectares was bought in the end of 1982 by Richard Hurbain and his wife, Francoise, and their three sons. Hurbain pledged to restore the moats, build halls in the medieval style, and restore outbuildings as holiday accommodation. The castle is open to the public.

Comments

Your name



Address

Le Château 1, Sarzay, France
See all sites in Sarzay

Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Bob Watkins (9 months ago)
It was a beautiful Castle self-guided tour was much appreciated
Jane Anderson (2 years ago)
A must visit if you are in the area. The owner is there on arrival. Very accommodating. Notes were provided in every language. Great historical atmosphere
clare (2 years ago)
Wonderful old remains of a fortified chateau, access to all floors including roof space which is spectacular for its rafters and construction. Very atmospheric countryside, can imagine that it hasn't changed much in 500 years. Well worth the 7 euro entrance fee.
Nev Duke (2 years ago)
A lovely 14th Century castle with period furniture and tools just left in it. Very authentic like the people just left it in a hurry. A great look back into history and only 7 euros to enter. We were there for about and hour but we'll worth a visit. We had the place to ourselves and were just left to wander with an information sheet which comes in all languages.
Alan BOARD (2 years ago)
Of the several châteaux in the area this is the most fascinating and a true relic of the Hundred years war I believe.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Château de Niort

Château de Niort is a medieval castle in the French town of Niort. It consists of two square towers, linked by a 15th-century building and dominates the Sèvre Niortaise valley.

The two donjons are the only remaining part of the castle. The castle was started by Henry II Plantagenet in the 12th century and completed by Richard the Lionheart. It was defended by a rectangular curtain wall and was damaged during the Wars of Religion. In the 18th century, the castle served as a prison.

The present keeps were the central point of a massive fortress. The southern keep is 28m tall, reinforced with turrets. The northern tower is slightly shorter at 23m. Both are flanked with circular turrets at the corners as well as semicircular buttresses. Each of the towers has a spiral staircase serving the upper floors. The Romanesque architecture is of a high quality with the dressed stones closely jointed.