CHÂTEAU DE CLAIRVAUX - CHESS MUSEUM

The Château de Clairvaux in the village, overlooking the Place du Champ de Foire, is a fine example of a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles (of which it is one of the earliest examples in Poitou). It is the result of a brawl between the two lords of Clairvaux. Settling in the valley, Renaud Chabot had the château built from 1480 onwards. It was subsequently extended by René de Villequier, advisor to Henri III from 1580 onwards. With its moat and late ^16th-century enclosure, as well as the park (whose gardens are attributed to Lenôtre) and magnificent dovecote, it's an ideal place for a stroll. The forecourt and entrance châtelet complete this beautiful ensemble. Listed as a Monument Historique in 1929, it was restored in 1964.

Housed in the ^15th-century wing of the château since 1990, the International Chess Museum is one of the largest of its kind in France. More than 150 sets and 3,000 pieces from 75 countries on every continent are on display in five rooms. These ^18th-, ^19th- and ^20th-century sets are made from a wide variety of materials: semi-precious stones, silver- and gold-plated metal, elephant bone, ebony, olive and pear wood, meerschaum, malachite... One of the highlights is the set on which Emperor Napoleon ^I played on campaign, with Dieppe ivory pieces displayed on a Russian leather board.