Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Courtivron, located in the eponymous village of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, finds its origins in the fourteenth century. It was initially a strong house owned by Jean de Saulx, Chancellor of Burgundy, who obtained permission to acquire it in 1365. The site, built between two arms of the Ignon, is distinguished by a half octagonal platform and a rectangular tower dating from the Middle Ages, the only vestige of this period.

Over the centuries, the castle changed its owners several times, passing into the hands of the Beaufremont, Mailly and Compasseur de Vitre families. In 1695 the seigneury was erected as a marquisat for François-Bernard Le Compasseur, president of the parliament of Dijon. The almost total reconstruction of the castle took place shortly before the Revolution, leaving only the medieval tower, marked by the 1581 vintage.

In the 19th century, the castle housed a spinning plant equipped with looms, employing up to 156 people in 1856. After its closure in 1892, some of the buildings were demolished, leaving only workers' housing and a turbine in the park. The facades, roofs and moat were inscribed in the Historical Monuments in 1971.

The current architecture combines medieval elements, such as the rectangular five-level tower, with 18th-century additions, including two wings surrounding a courtyard. The park, decorated with French gardens and a cooler, completes this set. The statues of Apollo and Diane, carved by Paul Dubois, adorn the large living room.

The castle thus illustrates an architectural and economic evolution, from a medieval fortress to an industrial site, before becoming a protected heritage. Its history reflects the social and economic transformations of Burgundy through the centuries.

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