Château de la Roche Courbon - 'Sleeping Beuaty's castle' in the Charente-Maritime
The Château de la Roche Courbon, known as the Sleeping Beauty's Castle, is a elegant château with beautiful French gardens that pre-date those at Versailles. In the Charente-Maritime, the château was originally built during the 15th century, but its current style is down to Jean-Louis de Courbon who transformed it during the 17th century.
The Courbon family held onto the château during the Revolutionut it was later sold and too costly to run, was left to ruin. It is known as Sleeping Beauty's Castle after being found by French writer Pierre Loti abandoned and overgrown. In 1920 its restoration was started by local businessman Paul Chénereau and completed by his children.
Today visitors can take a guided tour of the ornately decorated interior, highlights including the painted pannelling and the large kitchen with its full set of copper pans.
The award-winning gardens include an orchard, flower garden, geometrical flower beds and lawns surrounding a small lake ('mirror pool').
Stone age dwellings have been found in the grounds and the objects found in them are kept in a small museum.
For children aged over six years old, there is an area full of old-fashioned games to play, such as ‘Indian Top’.
SEE GREAT DAYS OUT
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening hours:
The château: 10am-noon and 2pm-6pm (winter, 5pm) every day except December 15 and January 1. It is also closed Sunday mornings during winter and Monday-Friday in January
Inside the château can only be seen on a 45 minute guided tour. Between September 15 and May 15 these occur every day but not on Thursdays .
The gardens: 10am-noon and 2pm-7pm (winter, 5pm) every day except December 15 and January 1. They are also closed Sunday mornings during winter and Monday-Friday in January. These can be seen without a guide.
Tickets:
Adults – château and gardens: €9; gardens only €6.
Children 7-14 years: €5
Under 7: free
Contact:
LA ROCHE COURBON
17250 SAINT-PORCHAIRES
Tel: 05 46 95 60 10
Website: www.t3a.com/larochecourbon