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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Chastellux, located in Chastellux-sur-Cure in Yonne, finds its origins in the 11th century with the construction of the Saint John tower around 1080, one of the oldest remains of this type in Europe. Built on a rocky peak overlooking the Cure, it initially served as a defensive fortress at the borders of the Duchy of Burgundy and the County of Nevers. Its strategic role was reinforced by crenelated walls, towers and a ditch, reflecting the political tensions of the medieval era. The family of Chastellux, descendant of the seigneurs of Montreal, has exercised its power there for more than ten centuries, a rare case in France.

In the 12th century, the castle consists of high towers connected by a wall, with wooden buildings for livestock and storage. The Saint John Tower, symbol of seigneurial independence, houses a prison and a dungeon, while a second enclosure flanked by turrets strengthens its defence. In 1116, a court hearing between the local barons and the abbey of Molesme was held, attesting to its legal importance. In the 13th century, the Guards Hall was built (dated 1240), marking an architectural expansion between the Ermitage Tower and the Archives Tower.

The lords of Chastellux, allies of the Dukes of Burgundy, played a key military role, as at the Battle of Cravant in 1423, where Marshal Claude de Chastellux defeated the Franco-Ecossians. This victory earned him privileges, including that of riding in the cathedral of Auxerre. In the 17th century, the castle remained a strategic stronghold: in 1615 the prince of Condé established a garrison of 100 men, and Louis XIII united the fiefs of the Chastellux into a county in 1621. The Amboise tower was raised in 1592 by Olivier de Chastellux, strengthening its residential aspect.

The French Revolution marked a tragic turning point: in 1792-1793 the castle was vandalized, its archives burned, its furniture dispersed, and its coat of arms hammered. The family, exiled to Italy with the daughters of Louis XV, returned only in 1810. In the 19th century, César Laurent de Chastellux restored the estate by removing the additions of the 18th century to restore its medieval style, while raising the tower of Amboise. The castle, classified as a Historic Monument in 1925 (then in 1976 for the Saint John Tower and 1989 for the commons), remains a living testimony of Burgundy history.

The castle was also used as a cinematic setting, as for My Uncle Benjamin (1969) with Jacques Brel, or Black pin (1982) with Pierre Arditi. Today, it is partially visited, with a park accessible freely. The family of Chastellux, still the owner, continues a unique tradition of uninterrupted transmission since the Middle Ages, despite the fires (like the one of 1975) and the hazards of history.

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