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Pierre
Weekend Explorer
On the banks of the Charente, in the heart of Saintonge, in the charming village of Port d’Envaux, we love to get scared. For several years, Panloy Castle has offered a haunted tour in the footsteps of the valiant ancestors of the estate. Beware, ghosts and thrills are in store for Charente-Maritime.
Ah, the simple joys of autumn in Charente: the vibrant colors that set our trees ablaze, the invigorating sea spray, and… Halloween, of course! While Charente-Maritime offers an incredible variety of historical sites, my friend and I decided to explore Panloy Castle after dark, to hunt for ghosts. Yes, ghosts, you read that right.
Baby dropped off at Grandma’s, explorer outfits on, and the “Ghostbusters” song blasting in the car, we arrive at Panloy Castle, located on the banks of the Charente in the magnificent village of Port d’Envaux, a little hidden gem, tucked away from prying eyes, carefully preserving its tranquility. But how is it possible that a haunted castle is hidden here?
Arriving at Panloy like Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow, we arrive on site with our heads held high; But with fleeting glances and sweat on our brows. Around us, the audience is varied. Women make up the majority, out for a girls’ night, thrills guaranteed. Many children also await the opening of the doors with excitement and a touch of apprehension. Finally, here we are, Panloy, on a full moon night, awaits us.
After making sure no werewolves lived around here, we begin our visit through the smoky castle, lit by candlelight. A scream here, a howl there: the spirits of Panloy parade before our eyes and tell us the history of the place. This grand Renaissance-style residence was built in the mid-16th century, before undergoing several architectural evolutions over the following decades. You’ll also find an incredible period stable and a venerable dovecote in a remarkable state of preservation. Story after story, it is above all the history of the de Grailly family that is displayed here. And it is indeed the ghosts of each ancestor that we meet, who love to scare us just as much. From Gaston, the hunter, to Henri, the deserter, each story is passionately told to us by our hosts from another time. Shhh, we’ll keep what happens inside the castle a secret here… a surprise for participants!
“An original way to discover Saintonge”
Don’t panic, though, the haunted tour of Panloy Castle, nestled just above the Charente, is accessible to everyone, provided you approach it with the necessary perspective. In fact, the team of volunteer actors who passionately play the various roles (what, they’re not real ghosts?!) lead us through time in an unconventional way and help us discover local stories within the grand History.
Moreover, this visit made us want to discover Panloy Castle, which is part of the ‘Treasures of Aunis and Saintonge’ network, in a more traditional way, but also the territory as a whole. First, Port d’Envaux, which hides a river beach along its quays, the Pré Valade leisure area which hosts the ‘Les Fous Cavés’ festival, but also sumptuous cut-stone buildings… from Crazannes! Crazannes is the neighboring village, famous worldwide for its quarries and also its castle which largely inspired that of Puss in Boots… Taillebourg and the Château de la Roche Courbon are also among the must-sees of this preserved Saintonge where life flows with delight in the heart of generous nature. Personally, it’s one of my favorite spots, ideal for combining relaxation, sightseeing, and… gastronomy! Indeed, there’s no shortage of good restaurants in the area.
It’s past midnight when we leave the castle, free and… survivors! Joking aside, this haunted tour is truly worth the detour. Our participation also helps with Panloy’s renovation. And in Charente-Maritime, heritage is sacred! So we return to the campsite with pounding hearts, not forgetting to look back one last time. You never know, the spirit of Halloween might be following us closely.
