Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

La Motte Castle, also known as La Motte-Baudreuil, is a 19th century building built on the ruins of an older medieval castle. The site preserves significant remains of its past, including 11th century cellars and a medieval round tower, vestige of the early enclosure. These elements testify to an ancient occupation, although the primitive castle was razed for undetermined reasons, probably replaced in the 15th century by an intermediate structure before the present building.

The present castle, in eclectic style, combines medieval and classic elements: a three-level facade under a slate roof, four round corner towers, and an octagonal staircase tower decorated with arms of the Montbrun family. This tower, staggered on the façade, as well as lower rear foundations, suggest partial reuse of earlier structures. The complex, surrounded by a park of 5 hectares, is located in the village of Louchy-Montfand, near the church Saint-Pourçain.

The history of the castle is marked by several influential owners. In the 17th century, it belongs to Jacques de Montbrun, intendant of the Marshal of Saint-Géran, whose tombstone and epitaph are visible in the nearby church. In the 18th century, the fief was acquired by Pierre Desrolines, farmer general of the Duchy of Bourbonnais. By covenant, the estate was transferred in 1884 to the family of Pardieu, which began the construction of the present castle at the end of the 19th century. In the 20th century, the castle hosted holiday colonies (1960-1980) before being transformed in 2024-2025 into a place of reception and accommodation.

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