Castle of La Rochefoucauld

The Pearl of the Angoumois... The family of La Rochefoucauld emerged in 1019 with Fucaldus (latin for Foucauld), and was considered a branch of the Lusignan House for a long time, because of the similitude of their arms. In reality, it seems that Foucauld was kin to the viscount of Limoges, a descendant of a noble of the court of Charlemagne. Only four families in France (includient the Capetians) can claim such seniority. The history of the castle is inseparable of the La Rochefoucauld family's history, which itself is a part of the political life of its time, century after century. The castle of La Rochefoucauld gives a remarkable illustration of the interweaving of politics and architecture throught the life of a family that has owned, wihtout discontinuity, the castle since Fucaldus laid the first fortification around 980. Must-see; the giant Renaissance staircase, Marguerite de Valois' boudoir, the kitchens, the 17th century libraries, the Renaissance galleries, Countess of Polignac's bedroom and bathroom...