Timeline
- 1100: First known mention of the castle in the archives. The Saint-Jean Tower (which still stands today) is described there as a “very old” tower.
- 1621: King Louis XIII elevated the seigneury of Chastellux to the rank of county, incorporating the viscountcy of Avallon and the seigneury of Quarré-les-Tombes.
- 1793: The castle was looted (furnishings burned, archives seized) and sold by the Revolutionaries.
- 1810: César-Laurent, Count of Chastellux, reclaimed the castle and began its restoration.
- 2005: Count Philippe de Chastellux became the owner following the death of his uncle Jean, Count of Chastellux.
A fortress to defend the Duchy of Burgundy
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Cure River, the Château de Chastellux initially served a defensive purpose. Protected from attacks in this way, it was an important strategic stronghold.
Located on the border between Burgundy and the Nivernais region, the castle served as a base in the Middle Ages for armies sent to defend this gateway to Burgundy, which was then an autonomous duchy and often at odds with France.
A castle with stunning architecture
Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortification, Chastellux’s long history and its continuity within the same family explain the architectural diversity of the castle, which consists of an 11th-century tower, a 15th-century section, a 17th-century section, and, finally, a 19th-century tower and other elements.
The rock on which the castle is built is triangular in shape; this required the architects to demonstrate great skill in creating this curved roof.
During the Restoration, César-Laurent de Chastellux set out to restore the estate. Life then slowly returned to normal.
The château suffered another tragic event on May 30, 1975: a fire broke out in a chimney flue and set the roof and attics ablaze. The Amboise Tower still bears the scars of this fire, as evidenced by its missing roof. The current owner is continuing the restoration work begun by his predecessors, using traditional techniques, and is committed to preserving the castle’s authentic character while keeping it firmly rooted in its history and looking toward the third millennium.
