Castle Chalais

Castle Chalais crowns a promontory overlooking the town of Chalais, birthplace of the prominent Talleyrand-Périgord family. Attested from the 11th century, the castle experienced dramatic transformations: English occupation during the Hundred Years' War, partial dismantling in 1453, and major 16th-century Renaissance reconstruction that preserved only a 14th-century square tower. The château showcases remarkable features including a still-functional 16th-century drawbridge, one of France's few remaining operational examples, Renaissance-style pavilions, and distinctive 17th-century façades with rare high slate roofs. Recently acquired by the Thery family in 2025, following restoration work that began in 2011, the castle welcomes the public to experience this layered testimony to French architectural heritage.