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Castle of Contenson à Saint-Just-en-Chevalet dans la Loire

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château
Loire

Castle of Contenson

    Château de Contenson
    42430 Saint-Just-en-Chevalet
Crédit photo : ELIE R&R - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1316
First entry
XVIe siècle (première moitié)
Initial construction
1668
Sale to Jacques du Bessey
1863
Purchase by Camille de Rochetaillé
1885-1889
Reconstruction of the castle
1914-1918
Makeshift hospital
1939-1945
Resistant shelter
29 octobre 1975
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Facades and roofs (Case B 152): inscription by order of 29 October 1975

Key figures

Guillaume d'Augerolles - Medieval Lord First owner mentioned in 1316.
Jean de Foudras (1500-1582) - Builder of the 16th century Builds the first castle of Contenson.
Jacques du Bessey - Counselor of the King Owner in 1671, gives his name.
Camille Bernou de Rochetaillée - Baron reconstructor Rebuilt the castle between 1885 and 1889.
Henri Bernou de Rochetaillée (1883-1973) - Descendant engaged Fighting during the two world wars.
Jean Bernou de Rochetaillée (1913-2009) - Resistant heir Involved in World War II.

Origin and history

The Château de Contenson, located in Saint-Just-en-Chevalet in the Loire, finds its origins in the sixteenth century, when Jean de Foudras (1500-1582) erected a first construction on an old barn. The estate then passed into several hands, including those of Jacques du Bessey, king's adviser, who acquired it in 1671. The Bessey family kept the castle until 1863, when it was bought by Baron Camille Bernou de Rochetaille.

In 1885 Camille de Rochetaille almost completely razed the medieval building to replace it with the present castle, completed in 1889. Only the foundations of the 16th century dungeon, the Louis XV salons and the cellars are preserved. The architectural style combines Renaissance and Gothic, with rosé granite and grey lava stones, as well as a slate roofing in Angers. The baron, also at the origin of the church and the local school, is a lasting sign of the village.

During the First World War, the castle served as a makeshift hospital, welcoming many wounded. During World War II, it was home to resistance fighters. The descendants of Camille de Rochetaillé, Henri (1883-1973) and Jean (1913-2009), illustrate in these conflicts. The facades and roofs were classified as historical monuments in 1975. Private property, the castle is not visited.

The history of the castle is also linked to local noble families, such as the d-Augerolles, mentioned in 1316, or the Charpin de Genetines, owners in the 17th century. The building thus embodies centuries of history, between medieval heritage, modern transformations and commitments during wars.

External links