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Origin and history

The castle of the Plessis, located in Autry-Issards in the Allier (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is a strong house built at the end of the 15th century, in 1497, on permission of Pierre II, Duke of Bourbon. The latter grants Jean-Nicolas du Plessis, local lord and doctor of law, the right to raise ditches, towers, mâchicoulis, and a drawbridge to strengthen the defence of the site. The cruciform castle incorporates innovative defensive elements for the time, such as archères with central holes serving as latrines, inner round paths, and round foothills protecting the angles of gunfire. Its architecture reflects an adaptation to firearms, while maintaining comfort spaces, such as painted Gothic fireplaces.

In 1553, the castle passed into the hands of Geoffroy Aubery, the mayor of Moulins, who added fabulous decorations. The interiors are decorated with murals and tapestries illustrating the life of Godefroy de Bouillon, mixed with family allegories (dolphs of Aubery weapons). The chapel, richly furnished, and the terraced gardens, fountains and labyrinths, bear witness to the prosperity of the place until the 17th century. However, family conflicts in the 18th century led to its decline: the gardens were destroyed between 1726 and 1729, and part of the buildings collapsed in 1772. Saved from the ruin at the end of the 19th century, the castle was listed as historical monuments in 1928 for its military architecture and intact decorations.

The defensive system of the Plessis is distinguished by its austerity and efficiency. The north square tower, vaulted by dogives, houses round paths lit by archères, while the south tower, covered with mâchicoulis, houses the staircase and a defence room. Two isolated towers, old flanks of the lost drawbridge, served as chapel and dovecote. These elements, combined with false dissuasive gunboats and scalable foothills, illustrate a transition between the medieval castle and the artillery-adapted fortress. Interior decorations, such as painted coats of arms and Gothic chimneys, highlight the social status of its owners, between military function and seigneurial residence.

The Aubery, an owner family from the 16th century onwards, permanently marked the castle. Geoffroy Aubery celebrates his lineage through historical scenes mixing cross and dolphins, heraldic symbols of the family. His descendant, the Jesuit poet Jean Aubery, described in the 17th century a still gratifying estate, with terraced gardens, fountains, and a maze charmille. However, family divisions in the 18th century accelerated its degradation until partial restoration in the 19th century. Today, the castle retains rare elements, such as an iron door added to the square tower, and traces of black pigments on the chimneys, testimonies of its original decoration.

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