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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Mocques is a former seigneurial residence, the first mention of which dates back to 1294, when the house of Moques was sold in Gibaut de Saint-Vérain. Although its medieval origins are attested, the present building dates mainly from the 1st quarter of the 17th century, when it was rebuilt after an initial structure of the 15th century. It illustrates the aristocratic residential architecture of the modern era, marked by geometric shapes and careful landscape integration, with its terraces descending towards the road and its characteristic dovecote.

In the 19th century, the castle became the property of the Baucheron de Boissoudy family, testifying to its anchoring in local history as a symbol of seigneurial power and then of family heritage. The estate, formerly linked to Saint-Laurent-lès-Cosne Abbey, also included a mill, highlighting its economic role in the Pouilly-fumé wine region. In 1987, its facades, roofs and dovecote were listed as historic monuments, recognizing its heritage value.

The castle is situated midway down a plateau overlooking the Nohain valley, and is distinguished by its 25 metres square plan, surrounded by walls and vineyards. The restoration work carried out in 2007 has preserved its historic character, while integrating the Nièvre cultural landscape. Its dovecote, a protected element, recalls the agricultural and seigneurial practices of the Ancien Régime, while its proximity to the Mocques mill evokes the economic organization of the great ecclesiastical or secular domains.

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