Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Beauregard, located in Montigny-sur-Aube in Côte-d'Or, finds its origins in the 12th century with a medieval fortress. In the 16th century, Jean V d'Amoncourt, inspired by his travels to Italy, radically transformed the site: in 1550 he had a Renaissance façade decorated with 44 doric and ionic columns, while retaining a medieval tower called the red tower. The castral chapel, built in 1553, reflects Italian influence and recalls that of Langres Cathedral, although its architect (perhaps Jean Bullant) remains unconfirmed.

In 1794, a fire ravaged three quarters of the castle, destroying the chestnut and decorative elements. The works of 1817 partially demolished the ruins, but some parts were reused: the windows of the southern facade came from the destroyed buildings, and the moat was filled. In the 19th century, the southern facade was redesigned in a more sober style, while the park adopted an English-language layout. The estate changed hands several times, including the Maupeou families (in the 18th century) and Martin (from 1901), who undertook a major restoration in 1903 under the direction of Edward Aynard.

The castle played a historic role during the two world wars: in 1918, it housed an artillery school where Harry Truman, future American president, was staying, and a commemorative stele was now visible. During the Second World War, the Germans occupied the place, transforming the great salon into Kommandantur. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1961 (completed in 2011 for moats and outbuildings), the site also includes a 19th century orchard garden, rehabilitated in 2013 and labeled Remarkable Garden in 2015. Its park, its enclosure walls and its Renaissance chapel bear witness to the French architectural evolution.

The current architecture thus combines medieval remains (the red tower), Renaissance elements (façades and chapel), and 19th century additions (park and orangery). The moat, restored at the beginning of the 20th century, and the 290 varieties of fruit trees of the vegetable garden highlight the heritage diversity of the estate. The castle also illustrates the historical upheavals, from the beautifications of the Renaissance to the military occupations and modern restorations.

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