Château de Villemonteix: A Castle of Monarchist Plots and Aubusson Tapestries

In the heart of the region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, the Château de Villemonteix stands tall. Constructed in the 15th century, the castle features a rectangular logis flanked by tall round towers on the west facade and a square staircase tower on the opposite facade. Two of the corners are crowned with échauguettes en encorbellement. In the courtyard, a hexagonal well with paneled assemblies stands as a centerpiece. Visitors to the dozen rooms across four levels can admire Aubusson tapestries, including models by Isaac Moillon, and Flanders tapestries dating from the 16th and 18th centuries.

The castle had been home to the marquis de Biencourt, who instigated a monarchist plot during the Revolution. In 1803, it was passed to Charles de la Barre, vicomte de Bridiers, before falling into the hands of Mme Aubert, who acquired the domain in 1888. The Sallandrouze family, manufacturers from Aubusson, then came into possession of the castle. The château was classified as a monument historique by decree of 14 1946.

Pierre Lajoix, who bought the castle in 1982, now resides within its walls, offering glimpses to the public. The interior houses several stamped pieces of furniture, an 18th-century Sèvres porcelain table service, and a rare double piano from the house of Pleyel. This piano was originally offered by the family of Léon Reinach (1893-1943) and his wife, Béatrice de Camondo (1894-1945), who were married from 1918 to 1942. Both Reinach and his wife, along with their two children, died in deportation.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons