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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Brandon Castle, located in Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes in Saône-et-Loire, finds its origins in the 12th century as a Roman military post at a road crossing. In the 13th century, a fortified tower belonging to the lords of Brandon and then to the Dukes of Burgundy marked the beginning of its feudal history. In 1365 Robert d'Essertenne became his hereditary lord, before Philip II of Burgundy raised the fief in barony in the 14th century for Philip de la Roche, his grandson. The current structure reflects these medieval transformations, with a enclosure divided into lower courtyard and seigneurial courtyard, flanked by square towers.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the castle changed hands frequently: acquired in 1528 by Hugues-Bernard de Montessus after complex successions, it underwent important works under the families of Lugny and Montessus. In 1638 Alphonse de Chaumelis bought it, but its succession triggered a fierce family conflict. In the 18th century, Jean-Baptiste de la Coste, the last direct heir, left the estate to his niece Jeanne-Huguette, wife of the Marquis Jacques de Beaurepaire. The house, abandoned to farmers, fell into disuse before being restored around 1900 by the widow of Ferdinand de Jouvencel.

The castle was also marked by tragic events, such as the case of Abbé Delniau in 1624. Accused of black magic after attempting to conjure up a so-called cursed treasure for Charles de Montessus, this priest was degraded and then executed in Autun. A dungeon room, decorated with occult symbols and a goat-headed fireplace, perpetuates his memory. In the 19th century, the castle passed into the hands of political figures, including Nicolas Tripier (pair de France) and Ferdinand de Jouvencel (president of the Conseil d'État), before being passed on to Masin's family, the current owner.

Ranked in the additional inventory of historical monuments in 1975 for its facades and roofs, Brandon Castle remains a private property closed to the public. Its architecture illustrates the defensive and residential evolutions of Burgundian castles, while its history combines family intrigues, black legends and political heritages. The agricultural buildings, stables and the tower complete a collection of seven centuries of local history, from feudalism to contemporary times.

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