Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Ternay was built in the 15th century by Bertrand de Beauvau, the first vassal of King Charles VII, from 1439. The project, which lasted thirteen years, included the arrival of Venetian artists to sculpt the decorations of the chapel. On Bertrand's death in 1474, the castle passed to his grandson, his sons having died before him. This monument thus reflects the Italian artistic influence and the importance of the vassalic networks under Charles VII.

In 1574, a religious conflict opposed Claude de Beauvau, a Protestant, to his Catholic neighbour Jacques d'Arsac, leading to his murder. After 24 years of trial, the widow of Arsac obtained in 1606 the confiscation of the castle, which became the property of the Arsac. This period illustrates the tensions of the Wars of Religion and their legal consequences on noble goods.

In the 17th century, the Arsacs undertook major works, adding a body of building with attic attic. The castle, sold as a national property in 1792, was bought in 1804 by Marie-Adélaïde Cantineau de Commacre, widow of the Marquis Gabriel d'Arsac. These property changes reflect the upheavals of the French Revolution and the post-Napoleonian restitution.

In 1864 Charles Marie d'Aviau de Piolant modernized the castle: built stables, destroyed wall, and remodeled wings. These transformations, typical of the 19th century, aimed to adapt the castle to the aristocratic lifestyles of the time. Today, the site preserves elements from the 15th, 17th and 19th centuries, reflecting its architectural evolution.

Ranked a historic monument in 1996 for its eastern wing (donjon, tower, chapel) and its kitchens, the castle was fully classified in December 2024, including stables and adjacent plots. These successive protections highlight its heritage value, combining medieval heritage, Renaissance and modern restorations. Currently owned by the Aviau de Ternay family, it houses guest rooms and a rural gite.

Two tapestries of the 17th century Aubusson and a living room maintaining its 1880 decor (woodworks, ceiling with caissons) recall the past. These elements, combined with family portraits, offer an overview of aristocratic life throughout the centuries, while anchoring the castle in local and national history.

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