Château de Balzac is a 17th-century château located on the banks of the Charente River, 8 km north of Angoulême, and associated with Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac (1597–1654), a renowned writer who used it as his hermitage. The castle hosted notable historical figures, including Marie de Médicis, mother of Louis XIII, who sought refuge here in 1619, as well as Richelieu and the Duke of Epernon. Classified as ISMH and labeled Maison des Illustres, the château now welcomes visitors for guided tours and private events. The current owners have dedicated fifty years to its restoration, earning it the National Prize for Old French Houses and the National Prize for Parks and Gardens of France.
