Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Lys-Saint-Georges is located on a natural spur overlooking the Gourdon valley, a tributary of the Bouzanne. Its ovoid dungeon, dating from the 12th century, is the oldest part, equipped with a complete defensive system (bridge-levis, murderers) and interior amenities (pathways, latrines). The present building, surrounded by moat, was rebuilt from the 14th century on the remains of an earlier fortress, while the 15th century house body has flamboyant sculptures. Restored in the 19th century, its facades and roofs underwent modifications that altered its authenticity.

During the Hundred Years' War, the castle was occupied by an English garrison before becoming the property of Jacques Coeur, who built there the present house overlooking the moat. In 1440 he passed to the Bertrand family, governors of the Berry and close to Louis XII. The dungeon served as a prison in Ludovic Sforza, the Duke of Milan (known as Le More), captured in 1500 for treason and detained here until 1504 before his transfer to Loches Castle, where he died. The arms of the Bertrands and Navarre, visible on the gate, testify to their long possession (three centuries), while their coat of arms on the gate was hammered.

Sold as a national good during the Revolution, the castle then lost part of its dungeon and its staircase in vis. In the 19th century, architect Alfred Dauvergne restored it between 1877 and 1887, altering certain structures. Partially classified as early as 1969 (donjon, pregnant, porterie), its inscription was extended in 2022 to the entire castral site. It has been a priority project of the Heritage Lotto since 2020.

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