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Origin and history

The château de Bourbon-l'Archambault, mentioned from the 10th century as a fortified square, was initially an ancient villa belonging to the Bituriges, then became the heart of the seigneury of Bourbon. In the 12th century, the Bourbon Sires, including the Archambault line (IXth in the 12th century), transformed the site into a powerful stone fortress, combining their power with that of Cluny and Capetians. The castle, rebuilt in stone from the twelfth century, is enlarged under Philippe Auguste with round towers with bosses, probably by Archambaud VIII.

In the 13th century, the marriage of Mahaut de Bourbon with Guy II de Dampierre included the castle at the house of Burgundy, then at the French crown via Béatrice de Bourgogne and Robert de Clermont (1288). This union gave birth to Bourbon's Capetian house. Louis I, the first Duke of Bourbon, enlarged the fortress in the 14th century, founding a holy chapel to house relics. The castle suffered British assaults (1356-1369) and was rebuilt by Louis II, becoming the capital of the Dukes until its decline to the benefit of Moulins.

The tower Qui-qu'en-Grogne, symbol of the current remains, dates from the late 13th century and served as a prison. The castle, confiscated by François I in 1523, passed into the hands of the crown and then Bourbon-Condé in the seventeenth century. Used as a thermal residence, it was partially destroyed during the Revolution, retaining only three northern towers. In the 19th century, the Duke of Aumale inherited and preserved the ruins, before they were transferred to the Saint-Louis foundation in 1974. Today, the site bears witness to the feudal history of Bourbonnais, with its cylindrical towers and its missing chapels.

Ranked a historic monument since 1862, the castle is also famous for inspiring Flamenca, a 13th century medieval Occitan novel. This text describes a romantic plot taking place in the fortress, offering a literary testimony of its architecture and seigneurial life. The current remains, including the Tower Qui-qu'en-Grogne and its prison rings, recall its defensive and political role, from the Bourbon Sires to its attachment to the crown.

The history of the castle reflects the changes of feudal power in France: from local lords (Archambault) to Capetian Dukes, then to its integration into the royal domain. Its decline in the 16th century, marked by the abandonment of medieval fortresses, contrasts with its past prestige. The limited restorations of the Condé and the modern protection make it a major heritage site, linked to the historical identity of Bourbonnais and the dynasty that gave France its name.

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