CHALUS

Châlus is a town situated 7 kms away from Domaine de la Ribière. It was built around the Chabrol castles (11th - 17th centuries) that Richard Lionheart besieged and where he died.

Richard, Duke of Aquitaine and King of England, came to the Limousin to punish Adhémar, Viscount of Limoges and ally of Philippe Auguste, and decided to settle the siege around Châlus-Chabrol. At the end of the 3th day, on March 25th 1199, at around 7 o'clock in the evening, Richard inspected works of sap that must pull down the large donjon where some defenders had taken refuge. He was in the company of his faithful mercenary and war-leader, Merchadier, when a crossbow bolt hit him with full force in the base of the neck. Despite the cares he received, Richard died 12 days later with his mother, Aliénor of Aquitaine who received his last wishes.

" My corpse will be buried in Fontevrault, my heart in my cathedral of Rouen, and my bowels will stay in Châlus "

This is a town you should absolutely visit.