Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Alluyes, located in the municipality of the same name in Eure-et-Loir, was in the Middle Ages the heart of the most important seigneury of Perche-Gouêt, known as the first of the five baronies of this region. This status reflected its strategic and political importance in an area marked by feudal rivalries. The site still preserves today major remains of this time, including a 12th century dungeon, which witnessed the first fortifications of the estate.

Between the fortified gate and the dungeon stands the ancient chapel Saint-Nicolas, recognizable by its hemi-circular apse. Originally, it was lit by four windows in the middle of the wall, characteristic of medieval religious architecture. Over the centuries, the chapel has undergone notable transformations: a large carriageway door was pierced in its west wall when it was converted into a barn, while its structure was completely rebuilt between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. A shingle vault, decorated with paintings, was also added, illustrating the evolution of the techniques and uses of the building.

The castle was the subject of heritage protection measures in the 20th century. The dungeon was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 21 December 1925, followed by the classification of the entrance gate, its two towers and the chapel Saint-Nicolas on 15 December 1980. These protections highlight the historical and architectural value of the site, now managed by an association. Although the sources do not specify its current access, its state of conservation and successive developments make it a remarkable example of the adaptation of strong castles to changing needs, from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

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