Château de Châtenay, Heritage castle in Cognac, France
Château de Châtenay is a castle in Cognac featuring four towers topped with slate and connected wings situated on the left bank of the Charente River. The complex sits north of the town center and is surrounded by gardens and agricultural fields.
The castle was built on a site where a Gallo-Roman villa once stood and became a royal property in 1541 under Duke Charles, son of King Francis I. Major renovations followed over the centuries, particularly when the Caminade family undertook significant rebuilding in 1807.
The castle shows how local architecture evolved as different families made their mark on the building over time. You can see these changes reflected in the mix of building styles across its wings and towers.
The castle is located on Boulevard de Châtenay near the Charente River and is easy to reach while exploring the riverside area from downtown. The surrounding gardens and fields provide room to walk around and give you a good sense of how the estate fits into the local landscape.
A wool mill operated on the estate grounds during the 1800s, bringing textile manufacturing activity to the property alongside traditional farming and wine production. This gives the place a connection to local craftsmanship that many visitors do not expect.
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