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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Menetou-Salon, located in the department of Cher, finds its origins in the 14th century, with traces of a primitive fortress. Confiscated and dismantled during the Revolution, the estate was rebuilt under the Restoration before being completely rebuilt between 1884 and 1890 by architect Paul-Ernest Sanson for Prince Auguste d'Arenberg. The latter, Member of Parliament for Cher and President of the Suez Canal Company, is inspired by the Jacques-Coeur Hotel in Bourges to build a neo-Gothic building, decorated with sculptures by Antoine Margotin and woodwork signed by Calmel.

The seigneury of Menetou, mentioned in the 11th century, passed into the hands of noble families such as the Sancerres, Jacques Coeur (which was destroyed in 1455), or the Villequier. In the 19th century, the castle became a symbol of aristocratic renewal under the Third Republic, mixing medieval heritage and modernity. The facades, roofs, and major rooms (chapel, large living room, library) have been protected since 1989.

The monument is part of a territory marked by viticulture, with the AOC Menetou-Salon (since 1959), and a preserved natural heritage ( Natura 2000 site). The commune, rural and attached to its history, also preserves a Saint-Pierre church rebuilt in 1867 and a town hall-school of 1878, testimonies of its architectural and social evolution.

The neo-Gothic reconstruction of the castle is accompanied by a desire for prestige: the prince of Arenberg, a political and economic figure, organizes a worldly life there while modernizing the estate. The preserved elements of the primitive castle (western and northern parts) contrast with the flamboyant additions, creating a dialogue between the eras.

The mad train of 1944, an episode of the Resistance linked to the local station, and the monument to the dead (1922) recall the upheavals of the twentieth century. Today, the castle, still inhabited by the descendants of Arenberg, remains a private place opened punctually, anchored in the Jacques-Coeur road and the Berruyer wine heritage.

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