Château de la Mercerie

As you approach the Château de la Mercerie, you'll be amazed by its impressive 220-metre façade. Called the "Little Versailles of the Charentes", it is the fruit of the boundless imagination of brothers Alphonse and Raymond Réthoré. The astonishment lasts throughout the visit, thanks to the treasures hidden inside: the gallery of Portuguese Azulejos, the mahogany gallery, the orange grove and the rooms and lounges adorned with numerous paintings are just some of them. On your way out, cross the arboretum and rose garden to prolong the wonder. Tours are free or guided (departure subject to availability of volunteer guides). Qr Codes are installed along the way to give you explanations in French or English of the different rooms. Guided tours in English are available on request. Its dazzling white stone façade stretches for 220 metres, set in 50 hectares of greenery. Some rare and remarkable trees enhance the walk through the park. The extraordinary story of this grandiose residence began in 1924, in the heart of a small 19th-century manor house (to the left of the current façade): the troubadour castel of La Mercerie was acquired by Alphonse and Raymond Réthoré. From then on, the two brothers, dreaming of the great Versailles, devoted all their resources to enlarging and embellishing the building. The work they undertook was commensurate with their ambitions. On the outside, white stone colonnades and balusters soon extended the original building. The ashlar added to the gigantism and rigour of the perfectly rhythmic façade. Inside, nothing was too good for La Mercerie. Raymond brought back furniture and paintings, chandeliers and precious woods, marble from Italy, azulejos from Portugal, etc. from his travels. He returned from Italy with a painter and sculptor, who created the most monumental decorations on the spot with the help of the locals. The treasures accumulated, but 30 years of work were not enough to complete the colossal project. The collections were dispersed at auction in June 1987. After the death of the two brothers, the château fell into oblivion, until the people of the commune rallied to found an association to safeguard this unique and prestigious heritage. The chambre des Béruges, the salon central, the salon du Vernet, the vestibule, the mahogany gallery and the large gallery of Azulejos, each one more impressive than the last, now fully captivate visitors eager for cultural discoveries. A trip up to the castle's belvedere (at random) will give you a chance to admire it from above. In the château grounds, the rose garden with its 756 plants and 32 fragrances (May-June) and the arboretum can be visited freely. The little train is random and will be reserved for people with reduced mobility and children, and mainly on Sundays or during Easter or other festivities.