Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Lonzat, located in Jaligny-sur-Besbre in Allier, came into being in 1607 when the fief entered the Fradel family (or Fradet) by the marriage of Marc Fradel, squire and seigneur of La Jarrye, with Martha de Terrières, heiress of the places. The estate was first mentioned as a property of Marc Fradel in 1615, sealing its anchor in this noble bourbonese lineage.

The construction of the present castle began in 1643, on the occasion of the marriage of Jean-François de Fradel, grandson of Marc, with Michelle Brirot. This initial building, typical of local seigneurial houses, integrates from the beginning of the communes and outbuildings organized around a central courtyard, reflecting a typical economic and agricultural structure of the Bourbonnais. Subsequent developments, particularly in the 19th century under the Clayeux family, preserve this harmony while adding decorative elements such as angular turrets.

Ranked a historic monument in 1997 for its architectural ensemble (logis, interior decorations, commons, park and alleyways), the Lonzat illustrates the evolution of the noble rural estates. Its construction campaigns, combining 18th and 19th centuries, create a rare stylistic unit, where each element – from the ironworks of the staircase to the fireplaces of the rooms – contributes to a balanced composition, unique in the region.

The site, sold by the Clayeux family in 1919, now retains a dual vocation: a heritage witness of Bourbon's history and a place of life, as evidenced by its current possible uses (visits, rentals, guest rooms). Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments highlights its value both architectural, with preserved interior decorations, and landscape, thanks to its park and its classified alleys.

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