Newfoundland Castle

Located in the town of Fontenay-le-Comte, in the Vendée region, the Château de Terre Neuve, a listed historical monument, was built in 1580 for Nicolas Rapin, Grand Provost of the Constable of France and companion of King Henry IV. In this Renaissance gem, he entertained illustrious figures, including the Duke of Sully, Agrippa d'Aubigné, and François Viète, the renowned mathematician. In the 19th century, Terre Neuve was owned by Marquis Octave de Rochebrune, a celebrated etcher. He produced 492 engravings and was considered by some to be "the Piranesi of his time." He also undertook numerous embellishments.

Between 1940 and 1942, the famous writer Georges Simenon lived at Terre Neuve and wrote many novels there; his friend, the painter Maurice de Vlaminck, often visited him. Passed down through the female line for two hundred years, this castle has remained in the same family, and the current owner does everything possible to ensure your visit is as pleasant as possible. Visitors can admire masterpieces of painting, furniture, collections, and period clothing from the 17th and 18th centuries.