Founded in 1793, the municipality of Verteuil-sur-Charente is part of the canton of Ruffec.
Its name comes from the Latin “Vertolium,” which means “Clearing of Virtues.”
The natural beauty of the site inspired the La Rochefoucauld family to build one of their castles, which Froissard described as “a most splendid castle in Poitou, on the borders of Limousin and Saintonge.”
In October 2020, after 1,000 years of shared history, the La Rochefoucauld family had to decide to put this superb residence up for sale.
At the foot of this castle, built on the promontory overlooking the Charente River, a magnificent watermill is still in operation and continues to attract visitors.
Also worth seeing in Verteuil-sur-Charente is the 12th-century Saint-Médard Church, which houses a 16th-century Deposition of Christ, a magnificent polychrome terracotta ensemble attributed to the workshop of Germain Pilon.
On the opposite bank of the Charente, part of the Cordeliers Convent—a 15th-century building that served as the burial site for the La Rochefoucauld family until the Revolution—is still visible and open to visitors.
Also worth seeing are the Seneschal’s House, the castle’s former moat, the remains of the Protestant Temple, and a stroll through the narrow streets…
Also worth seeing are several notable houses such as the Régie générale, the Prieuré, a 16th-century housing on Rue du Château, the tannery mill, the old post office, the Maison de Charité, the Auditoire, the Maison Pascaud, and the Palais.
Château de Verteuil,
16510 Verteuil-sur-Charente
http://www.verteuil-charente.fr/
Translated with DeepL.com
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