Château de La Rochefoucauld, Medieval castle in La Rochefoucauld, France.
The Château de La Rochefoucauld is a castle in Charente featuring three levels of galleries with arches circling a central courtyard. A defensive tower from the 11th century stands as its oldest part and anchors the medieval foundation of the complex.
A fortification was founded around 980 by Fucaldus on this site. The La Rochefoucauld family maintained ownership continuously and repeatedly renovated the structure, especially during the Renaissance period.
The castle shows how residents transformed a fortress into a refined home over centuries, blending military strength with elegant living spaces. Each renovation left its mark on how the place looks and feels today.
The castle is easy to find, located centrally in town and visible from multiple angles. Daytime visits work best to see the details of the arcades and courtyard in full light.
The stacked galleries were built in the 16th century as an unusual solution to create more living space without filling in the courtyard. This arrangement is rarely seen in other French castles.
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