The Château as it stands today is a far cry from the original fortress of the 11th century built to repel the Norman invasions. It became the object of much envy and power play between its successive residents from English and French royal families in turn.

It survived the dreadful times of the Hundred Years War, before becoming the setting for the splendour of the Court of François 1er. During the French Revolution, it became a National Property.

Baron Otard bought it by auction in 1796 for the ageing of his Cognac.