We were allowed by the current owners (in this family since 1903!) to have a look inside this 16th century building that was the favourite 'hideaway' of the Cardinal as he built a political career that was to make him First Minister to Louis XIII.
At this date merely the Bishop of Luçon in the Vendée, he had started his political career in the service of the boy-King's mother, the regent Marie de Medici, widow of the assassinated Henry IV.
More than once he sought the security of this castle when he needed to 'lie low'. For the first time in 1608, then 1610, then 1618.
We show the spectacular spiral stair to the cardinal's private oratory high in the castles's oldest tower, and a picture of his communion box within the oratory.
We show the spectacular spiral stair to the cardinal's private oratory high in the castles's oldest tower, and a picture of his communion box within the oratory.
It was in Coussay that he wrote his most famous christian texts, 'Les principaux points de la Foy en l'Eglise Catholique défendus contre l'escrit adressé au Roy par les quatre ministres de Charenton', and 'L'Instruction du Chétien'.
He last came to Coussay in June 1621.
...with many thanks to the many kindnesses of the owners...
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