Tourism Office of Gençay

Gencay was originally a military fortress. The lord of Rancon held the chateau in the 11th  century. Geoffroy VI chose to side with the king in the uprising led by Aquitaine barons in 1241 - 1242, and as a result he received funds from the king to rebuild his castle. This castle played an important role in the Hundred Years War.

The castle was largely destroyed by numerous sieges, but was protected under the initiative of Prosper Mérimée in the 19th Century.

Many of the castle's stones were taken during the nineteenth century, but the ruins are still beautiful.

At present it is the property of Monsieur Kléber Rossillon. You can visit the exterior, the interior can be visited by reservation (guided tour by the Association of the Friends of the Old Chateau).

Not far away :

- the Belle Floral Gardens at Magné, open March - November -

- Château de la Roche, a Renaissance Château whose gardens were designed by Le Nôtre ( open to the public)

- the beautiful romanesque Church at Saint-Maurice-la-Clouère, among other interesting churches in the neighbourhood

- Latitudes Nord, see the huskies, learn about dog teaming,  open all year, advance booking.

Accommodation and restaurants : hotels, gîtes de France, furnished flats, bed and breakfast, self catering accomodation in the woods, holiday resorts, camper van service areas, restaurants.

Saturday  and Thursday markets in the morning, and a fair the second and last Thursday of the month.

See also:
Activities - Gençay