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Origin and history

The castle of Hérisson, built on a rocky hill overlooking the valley of the Aumance, finds its origins in a wisigothic fortification. A first castle, built from 989 and completed in the 11th century, belonged to the Sires of Bourbon under the suzeraineté of the Counts of Champagne. This initial building consisted of a square dungeon and a second smaller, monitoring a strategic ford and a crossroads of old roads. In the 12th century, the square became a looting den, before becoming a chestnut in the next century.

In the 14th century, the Duke Louis II of Bourbon greatly enlarged and strengthened the castle, replacing the earlier structures with more imposing fortifications, including a square dungeon crowned with mâchicoulis. The site became a symbol of the bourbonese power in the west, with a lower yard and a enclosure protecting the adjacent village. During the Fronde (1648-1653), the castle was taken by the supporters of the prince of Condé, then taken over by the royal troops before being dismantled by order of Mazarin in 1652. His stones then served as a career for the inhabitants of Hérisson.

After centuries of abandonment, the castle changed hands several times: acquired by the Duke of Aumale in 1830, then by the bishop of Moulins and private owners, it was finally bought by the Touring Club of France in the 20th century. Since 1983, the town of Hérisson has owned it and entrusted its restoration to the association Sauvement du Château feodal d'Hérisson via an emhyteotic lease. The ruins, classified as Historic Monument in 1986, today bear witness to medieval defensive architecture, with seven round towers, courtines and a partially preserved dungeon.

The site is described in 1569 by Nicolas de Nicolaÿ as a "very strong square" with nine towers, a dungeon surrounded by mâchicoulis, and sophisticated defences (false-brayes, giant archères). The lower courtyard, now in ruins, once housed a chapel dedicated to Saint Blaise, while the high castle dominated a meandering of Aumance, controlling access to the area. Modern excavations and restorations revealed elements such as a well, a hanging garden, and houses along the ramparts.

The Castle of Hérisson illustrates the evolution of medieval military strategies, from a seigneurial fortress to a complex defensive complex, before its post-Fronde decline. Its history also reflects the power struggles between the Bourbons, the crown of France, and the great feudals. Today, the site is a place of memory and heritage value, open to the public and supported by local initiatives to preserve this testimony of medieval Bourbonnais.

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