Château de Terre-Neuve, Fontenay-le-Comte, France

The Castle of Terre Neuve in Fontenay-le-Comte, Vendée, France, is a historic château dating back to the 1580s and 1590s. It has been designated as an official historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture since 1978. The castle was originally built for Nicolas Rapin, a prominent figure known for his military career, poetry, and legal expertise. Over the years, the castle changed ownership, including a period when it was occupied by Vincentian priests during the French Revolution.

In the 19th century, Octave de Rochebrune, a notable owner of the castle, made significant contributions to its preservation and enriched its cultural heritage. He was not only a skilled engraver but also a mayor of Fontenay-le-Comte. Rochebrune's efforts included collecting architectural elements and furniture from various sources, such as the castle of Coulonges-sur-l'Autize and Château de Chambord, which were integrated into the Castle of Terre Neuve. His dedication to preserving heritage and his artistic contributions left a lasting impact on the castle.

In summary, the Castle of Terre Neuve is a historically significant château in Fontenay-le-Comte, with a rich history of ownership and cultural preservation efforts, particularly during Octave de Rochebrune's time.

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User Reviews

David Lewis (8 months ago)
While I'm not a chateau expert this one seems good. You have to take the tour as it is properly lived in by the owners. Our tour was completely in French but the guide spoke a bit of English and said he would do his best to answer questions in English. There was a book in English saying much the same as the guide but you miss the jokes not speaking French.

Dawid Hdez (8 months ago)
Beautiful family castle in a dream environment. Owners have been rescuing pieces of art from dying places. Alexander, a very kind guide, walked the extra mile giving a bilingual tour so some of us could understand. He did a great job. It worths the visit.

Karina Masyk (10 months ago)
We did not do the castle tour. Museum ist small but interesting especially when you know it is all private collection from the family

Natasha Fain (11 months ago)
Beautiful Chateau, interesting tour and plenty to see. Well worth a visit!

George Nott (2 years ago)
Château Terre Neuve to give the Chateau its correct name was magnificent! We joined a guided tour (in French) but were given an English paper guide.

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Château de Terre-Neuve

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