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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Bannegon, located in the department of Cher in the region Centre-Val de Loire, is a fortified building whose origins date back to the 12th century, although its oldest preserved parts date from the 13th or early 14th century. It is distinguished by an imposing tower of the Bars, composed of two superimposed cylinders, and medieval kitchens with rare architectural layout, covered with a pyramid of stone. The castle, surrounded by moat formed by arms of the Auron, was protected by a trapezoidal enclosure and several circular towers, reflecting its strategic defensive role at the border of Berry and Bourbonnais.

Over the centuries, Bannegon Castle has undergone major transformations, especially in the 16th century, where it was partially destroyed and then completed by a Renaissance-style building. It was the scene of significant events, like the heroic siege of 1568 led by Marie de Barbançois, lady of Bannegon, against the governor of Bourbonnais, in the context of the Wars of Religion. The castle, which once belonged to the families of La Porte and Les Barres, was also occupied by Bussy-Rabutin for the king in 1552. Sold as a national property during the Revolution, it was restored at the end of the 19th century and remains today a preserved medieval architectural testimony.

Ranked a historic monument since 1936 for its facades, frames and covers, Bannegon Castle is now owned by the Bengy family, which has been working for its restoration since 1988 through the Bannegon Millenium Association. Every year, the Medievals of Bannegon, organized at the end of August, help finance its preservation. The site retains remarkable defensive elements, such as the drawbridge dungeon and the fortified forecourt sheltering the village church, illustrating its historical and strategic importance.

Archaeological and historical sources, such as the works of Jean-Marie Pérouse de Montclos and Emmanuel de Crouy-Chanel, underline the heritage value of the castle, especially for its unique medieval kitchens and fortified enclosure. The castle, open to the visit, continues to bear witness to the architectural changes and conflicts that marked the Centre-Val de Loire between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

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