Château de Crazannes

Classified as a historical monument in 1913, the Château de Crazannes is one of the oldest castles in Charente-Maritime, and one of the first private castles to obtain this classification. Subsequently, three registrations in 1925, 1963, and 1988 completed this initial protection. Its construction began in the 14th century, on the very site of an ancient 11th-century medieval fortress, of which the chapel, moats, and keep (remnant of the enclosure wall) remain today. Initially owned by the lords of Tonnay-Charente, the site has had many owners including, among others, Jacques Poussard (counselor to Charles VI), the Daillon family, and the Acarie family. This family, whose men were illustrious military figures, lived in the castle for over 300 years and carried out significant expansion work. Among the people who stayed at the castle, some particularly left their mark: in the 14th century, the Black Prince stayed for some time on the estate, and in 1519, Francis I spent a night there.[citation needed] But the most famous remains Puss in Boots, whose master, owner of the castle, was celebrated by Charles Perrault in his tale. At the time of the Revolution, it was rented by Mgr Pierre-Louis de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers, Bishop of Saintes. Subsequently, the castle belonged to the Chaudruc family who, at the beginning of the 20th century, undertook extensive restoration work.

The north facade, from the early 16th century, features doors and windows adorned with elegant stone sculptures, in a remarkable flamboyant style.