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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Saint-Aignan came into being in the 10th century, when Eudes I, Count of Blois, erected a fortress on the heights of the city. Today, only the tower of Agar (or dungeon) and the remains of a wall remain, silent witnesses of this medieval era. The present building, in the shape of square, was entirely rebuilt in the 16th century by the Beauvilliers family, integrating Renaissance elements such as pediment windows and cruciform sled windows.

The north facade, rhythmic by two brick and stone pavilions, contrasts with the courtyard of honor to the south, where two buildings cut at right angles. Their facades, decorated with pilasters, bandages and niches housing sculptures, reflect the artistic influence of the Renaissance. A polygonal tower, richly decorated with twin columns and pilasters, connects the houses' bodies, while the west pavilion is distinguished by a frieze of Italian medallions surmounted by an openworked balustrade. The ruins of the primitive castle, located opposite, recall the old fortress.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent important restorations, preserving its mixed architectural heritage between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Ranked Historic Monument in 1946, it includes in its protection the park and remains of the original castle. Its history thus combines medieval defensive stratifications and residential fascists of the modern era, embodied by the Beauvilliers.

The interior and exterior decorative elements, such as shelled dormitories or pinacle pediments, illustrate 16th-century craftsmanship. The tower of Agar, the last vestige of the 11th century, offers a striking contrast with the Renaissance additions, symbolizing the transition between two hinge periods. The site, open to the visit, allows to understand this architectural evolution over nearly seven centuries.

The location of Saint-Aignan, in the Centre-Val de Loire, places the castle in an area marked by the presence of many Renaissance buildings, linked to the influence of royal and aristocratic courts. Close to Blois, he enjoyed cultural and political influence, especially under the Beauvilliers, a family close to power. The 19th century restorations, although controversial for some, allowed its conservation until today.

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