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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Jouhé, first mentioned in 1147 as a fief, consists of a set of buildings organized around a rectangular courtyard. The house, located in the northeast, dates from the 15th century but was redesigned in the 17th century. Nearby, the dungeon, the central element of the site, is distinguished by its rectangular plan, its four floors (including one of attic), and its round road with mâchicoulis. Its style blends medieval features with 17th-century redevelopments, although its exact dating remains uncertain: it could be a modernized 15th-century construction, or a 17th-century building voluntarily imitating archaism.

The dungeon is separated from the house by a narrow passage, connected by a drawbridge probably added at the beginning of the twentieth century. Inside, a spiral staircase serves the floors, where the rooms are covered with vaults or ceilings. The dungeon, classified as Historic Monument in 1999, dominates the whole with its crenellated roof and large fireplace. The commons, arranged around the courtyard, complement this architectural ensemble, reflecting both residential and defensive functions.

The first written mention of Jouhé's fief in 1147 attests to its seniority, although the current buildings date mainly from the 15th and 17th centuries. The site illustrates the evolution of castles between the Middle Ages and modern times, combining defensive elements (mâchicoulis, round path) and more recent residential developments. The uncertainty about the dating of the dungeon underlines the complexity of its history, between medieval heritage and subsequent adaptations.

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