Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The château de Ferrières, also known as château du Bourg, is located in the commune of Ferrières-sur-Sichon, in the department of Allier, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Built in the 16th century, today only its dungeon remains, a witness to medieval architecture. The latter, of square base, is flanked by a cylindrical tower housing a spiral staircase. A vaulted passage in the middle of the hanger crosses the ground floor, while the upper floors are pierced with sill windows. The castle was thoroughly renovated in the 19th century, notably in 1850 by Colonel Louis-Guillaume Le Jeans, whose coat of arms adorns the entrance door.

The dungeon has been the only protected element of historic monuments since 30 April 1982, covering its facades and roofs. This castle is famous for being the birthplace of François de La Tour d'Auvergne, grandfather of Marshal Turenne, born there on 15 January 1526. The transformations of the 19th century erased much of the original structure, but the dungeon retained significant architectural features, such as the sill windows and the spiral staircase.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent a phase of renovation under the impetus of Colonel Le Jeans, who placed his coat of arms there. This work changed the general appearance of the building, while preserving certain medieval elements. Today, the site remains a testimony of local history, linked to major historical figures such as the La Tour d'Auvergne family. Its partial inscription in historical monuments underscores its heritage importance, although only part of the original building remains.

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