The history of CHATEAU PICOL has been reconstructed from documents kept in the archives of Paris and Poitiers: notarial acts established during successive sales, architectural plans and drawings, as well as photographs from private collections, kindly provided by the families of the former owners.
Like many historic French residences, Château Picol was formed gradually. Its history is a succession of eras during which owners, lifestyles, and even the perception of the estate evolved, gradually shaping its current appearance.
Today, the castle occupies a recognized place within the historical and cultural heritage of Poitou and the Vienne department, among the historic residences that reflect the architectural history of France.
The land and construction of the castle (1886–1892)
In the 1880s, Pierre Marie Eulalie Delpont and his wife Victorine Arthémuse Cougault, owners of the Grand-Hôtel du Mont-Boron in Nice, acquired the plot of land "Le Pied de Picol," measuring 2 hectares and 76 ares, from Edouard Pasquier, a tailor in Châtellerault, and his wife Adrienne Bigot. The deed was signed on April 30, 1886.
The castle will be built on this land.
On September 15, 1890, they also acquired the neighboring plot "Piffonds", with an area of 43,60 ares.
The castle was built between 1890 and 1892 and remained the property of the Delpont and Cougault families until the end of their lives.
Above the entrance gate of the castle, as well as on its high tower, the monogram "D and C", initials of its first owners, still remains today.
Transfer of ownership and changes of ownership (1900–1929)
Mr. Delpont died in Nice on November 23, 1900 without any heirs. All of his property passed to his wife, who died on April 1, 1921 in her villa "Roc à Pic" in Nice, also without descendants.
According to her will, half of the estate goes to her friend Victorine Fouque, the other half to Gabrielle Gressot, Madame Fouque's daughter from a first marriage and who has a disability.
On the paternal side, Henriette, Eugénie and Blanche Victorine Gressot also inherit.
After Gabrielle Gressot's death in 1921, Madame Victorine Fouque bought back the shares of the other heirs.
Auction and new aristocratic property (1929–1934)
On April 21, 1929, the castle was sold at auction by Maître Hillion in Lencloître.
The purchasers are Madame Suzanne Eugénie de Coppet, Countess of Perrin, and her husband Count Emmanuel de Perrin de Moncel de Cabrilles la Brassaguier, sculptor and Knight of the Legion of Honour.
The Count of Perrin also owns the Château du Rivau, which was classified as a historical monument in 1918.
On June 23, 1934, Château Picol became the property of Arthur Chagnial.
Expansion of the castle and major architectural works (1941–1960s)
On January 18, 1941, the castle was acquired by Henri JOUBERT and his wife Alice JOUBERT, chocolatiers in Paris.
It was the Joubert couple who entrusted Edouard UTUDJIAN (1905–1975), an internationally renowned architect, with the task of enlarging the castle by adding a dining room, a terrace and a grand staircase on the north side.
During this period, a lift was specially installed for Mrs. Joubert, who had a disability, to allow her to access the first floor.
Above the panoramic French window connecting the dining room to the terrace appear the initials "HAJ", in homage to Henri and Alice Joubert.
During the Second World War, major works continued at the castle, which prevented its requisition by German troops.
After the death of her husband, Madame Alice Joubert passed the castle on to her cousins Robert and Germaine GIE, pharmacists in Paris.
On January 28, 1963, the GIE couple became the full owners of the castle.
Interiors and life in the castle in the second half of the 20th century
In 1966, Robert and Jeanine Petit became owners and entrusted the renovation of the interiors to the architect Madeleine Ursault.
In 1973, the castle was sold to Jean-Claude and Monique Mendoça.
From 1974 onwards, and for several decades, the château belonged to Jean-Michel and Catherine Vergnaux. The family resided in Ivory Coast for most of the year. The château was occupied during the summer and then maintained by caretakers.
In 2012, Lawrence and Marian Clarke, retired Irish farmers, became owners.
Contemporary period: restoration, development and continuity of the estate (since 2022)
On April 10, 2022, the estate and Château Picol were acquired by the Norman antique dealers Christian and Alla Hureau.
From this period onwards, continuous restoration and development work has been carried out on the property. The old park is gradually being transformed, more than 600 trees and shrubs have been planted, the castle's heating system has been modernized; the interiors are being renovated while respecting the historical character of the building.
This work is part of the tradition of French heritage restorations aimed at ensuring the transmission of historical estates to future generations, while allowing their contemporary use for cultural activities, stays in heritage environments and the life of the estate.
Christian Hureau is a former industrialist (in the field of plastics processing), inventor of single-use supports for blood group determination and an experienced mountaineer.
He is also responsible for the documentary reconstruction of the history of Château Picol and the deciphering of the emblematic rebuses found on the towers of the main gate.
Alla Hureau is a professional musician (piano), art historian and theorist. A graduate of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts, with a doctorate in philosophy, she is the author of two monographs devoted to the ontology and philosophy of culture.
Today, Christian and Alla Hureau run an antique business, restoring works of art and antique objects and are official chandelier makers for the French National Assembly.
The development of the estate is based on a principle of respectful continuity: the preservation of historical authenticity is accompanied by thoughtful developments, necessary for the sustainability of the castle.
Château Picol remains a living historical place, where each generation of owners makes its contribution, extending its history through time.
28/01/1963 the GIE pharmacists in Paris and cousins of the JOUBERT family became the owners.
Some old photos of Picol Castle.
Marriage of Robert PERRIER and Madeleine BRAULT on August 9, 1923 – It is interesting to observe on the menu, the representation of the name of the Château de Picol by 1 foot, 2 magpies and a col (the foot of Picol) which was the name of the plot on which the castle was built.
