Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Chemery Castle, located in the Loir-et-Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, has been a historic monument since 1926. It consists of a central courtyard surrounded by moat, with a building body divided into two parts: a medieval section to the west and a Renaissance wing to the east. The outbuildings, like the tithe barn and a dovecote, complete this architectural ensemble.

The history of the castle is marked by noble families such as Chalon-Tonnerre, Beauvilliers and La Roche-Aymon, who owned it until the 18th century. Turned into a farm in 1729, he was then bought by personalities such as the writer Madeleine Lemaître and artist Alain Souchon. Today, it is still a private property, partially restored and used for shootings.

Since the archives of the castle were destroyed during the Revolution, its ancient history remains fragmentary. It is known, however, that it belonged to Regnault de Chemery in 1236 and was modified over the centuries, notably with the addition of mâchicoulis and turret in the 15th century. The architectural traces, like a 1.40 m wide corridor in the enclosure, testify to its evolution.

The castle is surrounded by ancillary buildings, including masonry communes and a nearby church. Its drawbridge and moat remind of its past defensive role. Since 1981, the current owners, Axel Fontaine and his wife, have undertaken restoration work to preserve this heritage.

Ranked a historic monument, the castle of Chemery illustrates the feudal and reborn architecture of the region. Its present state, between farm and residence, reflects the transformations undergone over the centuries, while maintaining medieval elements and subsequent developments.

Future

Possession of the family of La roche Aymon until 1970, it was acquired by Alain Souchon and then by the architect Axel Fontaine in 1981, who has been restoring it since then.

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