Overlooking the Graine and Vayres Valley in Haute-Vienne, Rochechouart Castle reflects the power of the counts who inhabited it for nearly a millennium. Perched on a rocky promontory, this building subtly and harmoniously combines medieval and Renaissance styles. A keep and a drawbridge remain of the old medieval fortress. You only have to cross the drawbridge to find yourself in another era. There is a main building and ceremonial courtyard, surrounded by a beautiful 15th-century arcaded gallery and 16th-century Italian-influenced twisted columns. Welcome to the Renaissance. Inside the castle, two rooms contain incredible frescoes depicting hunting scenes and the tasks of Hercules.
The castle also houses the departmental museum of contemporary art, where the main themes are history, landscapes and the imagination. For those who are keen on history and old buildings, Rochechouart Castle is part of the Richard the Lionheart Route.
