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Origin and history

The castle of Thil, located in Vic-sous-Thil in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is attested from 1016 in the cartular of Flavigny. Occupied until the 17th century, it was deeply restored in the 20th century while preserving remains allowing an architectural study. Ranked a historic monument in 1905, it stands at 481 m above sea level, overlooking the valleys of the Serein and the Armançon. In front of him, the college of Thil marks the other end of the hill, while traces of missing buildings suggest a village or canon houses.

The origins of the castle remain debated: if some evoke a Roman oppidum or occupation since the final Bronze, current research rejects these hypotheses for lack of evidence. The first reliable mention dates back to Miles de Thil, founder of a priory in Precy-sous-Thil in 1007. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle is linked to the family of Thil, vassal of the Dukes of Burgundy. In 1307, Guillaume de Thil declared him to be sworn in and made available to the Duke. Around 1340, Jean de Thil founded the college, and in 1366 the castle was briefly occupied by scavengers before being returned against a ransom of 3,500 francs.

In modern times, the castle changed hands frequently: acquired by the Sayve family in the 17th century, it was dismantled by Richelieu in 1640 and abandoned for the benefit of the Château du Brouillard. Successive owners of the 20th century, like architect Roger Guibert, undertake controversial restorations, leading to archaeological excavations (1968, 1969, 1978). Since 2008, an annual medieval festival has animated the places, celebrating its heritage.

The irregular enclosure (125 m x 70 m), flanked by towers and pierced with gunboats (XV–XVI centuries), housed houses, chapel and agricultural buildings. The small seigneurial, including a 25 m watch tower and a 13th century cellar, illustrates the defensive evolution of the site. The contemporary changes, although criticized, allowed its preservation.

Archaeological sources confirm a continuous occupation from the 11th to the 17th century, with major construction phases in the 13th and 14th centuries. The site, studied by historians like Georges Thiery, remains a key example of Burgundian castral architecture, mixing military and residential functions before its decline in modern times.

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