Crazannes Castle’s history 
« Le Château du Chat Botté »Located on the left bank of the Charente river and in the middle of a peaceful park with its hundred-year-old trees the Château de Crazannes, a listed castle of the end of the 14th century, is one of the oldest houses in Saintonge.
The site was already occupied in the 11th century by a powerful fortress of which remains a chapel , which was the parish church for a long time, as well as a keep and the moats. In 1362 the Black Prince stayed at Crazannes for a short time, and in 1519 François the first stopped here during his travels in Saintonge.
In 1565 Jean Acarie, who was then, one of the best miltary commander in France, ordered the construction of a large wing to enlarge the 14th century main building.
Among the numerous families who succeeded at Crazannes the castle belonged among others to Jules Gouffier, Marquis of Carabas, from whom Charles Perrault created the tale and the character of the « Puss in Boots ».
In 1760 Jacques Chaudruc, ship-owner, bought this castle. We can see the peculiar coat of arms of his family on the living-room fireplaces.
In the middle of the 18th century the castle became the residence of Pierre-Louis de la Rochefoucauld, Saintes city bishop who was beheaded in 1792 in Paris. We can still see his coat of arms on the library fireplace.
At the end of the last century the baron of Chaudruc remodeled the south side and made important repairs.
The 15th century north side is exceptionaly insteresting thanks to its finishing Gothic style. Entirely sculptured it shows many characters, dragons and mythic monsters which tell the stories of old legends as in picture book. The pinnacle front door is a monument by itself. On each side we can see scenes representing the welcome made to the pilgrims. Crazannes was actually an important stopping place on the way to the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This is why we found the sculptures reminding Saint Jacques' miracles. Further we can see scenes from legends of the Melusine fairy. We can also see Saint Georges overcoming the dragon, strange creatures and imaginary animals.
Nowadays restored and nicely arranged with old furniture, the Château of Crazannes or Puss in Boots castle possesses unique fireplaces and extremely original sculpted beams.
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| Famous faces who stayed at the Château of Crazannes | ||||
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| Santiago de Compostela | The Black Prince | François The First | Charles Perrault | ...and the Puss in Boots |
