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Origin and history

Château de Croix, also known as Château de Génelard, is located in the commune of Génelard, in Saône-et-Loire, on a terrace overlooking the Bourbince river. Built in yellow stone and covered with slate, it consists of a rectangular central body, flanked by two slightly advanced wings. A fronton forebody marks the entrance, while the commons, organized in L, include a square pavilion, a gate leading to the stables, and a polygonal dovecote. A circular tower, known as the pavilion, remains in the park.

The history of the estate dates back to 1435, with a first castle to the north of the village, owned by Jean-Aymard de Busseul. In 1613, the property passed by covenant to the family of Amanze, then was sold in the early eighteenth century to Jean-David de Ganay. In 1730 Étienne de Ganay transferred the estate to Paul-Étienne Mayneaud de la Tour, who razed the former fortress to erect the present castle, completed in 1744. The family of Tournon, then the de Croix, became owners in the 19th century, leading to enlargements (1822-1841) and restorations.

In the 19th century, the castle was equipped with an English park (1841) and saw its interior and exterior decorations redone around 1875. Commons are added for a horse breeding, supplemented by a mill and a dovecote. At the beginning of the twentieth century, restorations were undertaken. The castle, still privately owned, is not visited. Its architecture and history reflect the transformations of a Burgundy seigneury, from medieval wars to modern times.

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