Château de Terre Neuve: A Renaissance Jewel

Nestled in Fontenay-le-Comte, a town once dubbed the 'fountain of fine spirits' by François I, the Château de Terre Neuve is a remarkable example of French Renaissance architecture. Constructed around 1590 for Nicolas Rapin, a prominent figure in the court of Henry IV, the castle has witnessed centuries of French history and culture. Nicolas Rapin, a soldier, lawyer, satirist, and poet, envisioned Terre Neuve as a meeting place for the intellectual elite. The castle welcomed notable guests such as the Duke of Sully and Agrippa d'Aubigné, becoming a hub of philosophical and artistic exchange. In the 19th century, the Marquis Octave de Rochebrune, a celebrated etcher, acquired the château, leaving his mark through extensive restorations and a vast collection of etchings. His 492 etchings produced at Terre-Neuve led some to consider him the 'Piranesi' of his time. Visitors can explore the castle's opulent rooms, adorned with period furniture, paintings, and collections from the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlights include the alchemical fireplace, the gilded suns from Louis XIV's chamber, and woodwork from the Château de Chambord. The castle also houses a museum dedicated to its history and the works of Octave de Rochebrune. The grounds of the Château de Terre-Neuve can be visited without a guided tour of the interior of the Château. Still inhabited by the descendants of Rochebrune, Château de Terre Neuve offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the elegance of the French Renaissance.