Château de Lussaud

LUSSAUD CASTLE
(or from LUPSAULT "The Wolf Forest"
Built in the 15th century, it was successively the property of three families of magistrates and squires.
Pierre PASCAULT lord of LUPSAULT, magistrate, Mayor of Angoulême in 1534, was a powerful and feared character, his coat of arms included three skulls and bones.
His daughter, Marie, married Robert de CORLIEU, lawyer and King's prosecutor at the Présidial d'Angoumois; their son Pierre de CORLIEU, squire, lord of LUSSAUD was a deputy to the Court of King Henry III to settle the affairs of his province, he served under Marshal de MONTLUC during the wars of religion, was appointed Captain of the castle guards of Blanzac by the King in 1586.
At that time the castle of LUSSAUD was a stronghold, the arquebusesières are still visible.
Throughout the old regime the property extended over three communes: Champagne, Blanzac and Pérignac; the LUSSAUD mill generated substantial resources for the lords.
Jean-Charles CLAVAUD, owner of the Château de LUSSAUD throughout the first half of the 19th century, is a notable, mayor of Champagne, he gives friendly advice to the owners of Maine-Giraud (neighboring property), Chanoinesse Sophie de BARAUDIN (aunt), then Madame Marie-Jeanne de VIGNY mother of the famous poet. Finally he became the friend of Alfred de VIGNY, and this illustrious character liked to cross "the beautiful woods of Lussaud" which led him from his estate to the Château de Lussaud. Nature lover, he draws his inspiration there to write "the death of the wolf". This faithful friendship towards the CLAVAUD family, Alfred de VIGNY kept it until his death.
Numerous and interesting companion stone engravings are preserved, an 18th century bread oven, 15th and 18th century fireplaces are inside the house, flanked by five round towers, overlooking the Charente countryside.
An exhibition of photographs on the evolution of the restoration work of the castle,
and on Alfred de VIGNY and his friendly ties with the CLAVAUD family.