Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Jours-lès-Baigneux found its origins in the 13th century with a first fortress belonging to the Brancion family, sold in 1259 to Duke Hugues IV of Burgundy. In the middle of the 14th century, the estate came into the hands of the Anglure family, which began its reconstruction between 1542 and 1566 in a Renaissance style marked by the influence of Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio. The south-west facade, adorned with pilasters and arcades, as well as the Joyous Tower dedicated to Isabeau de Joyeuse, wife of Claude d'Anglire, testify to this blissful period. The missing coat of arms bore the weapons of both families, symbolizing their alliance.

In the 18th century, the castle underwent partial dismantling around 1743, transforming the old fortress into a residence surrounded by a landscaped park with terraces, alleys and canals. After having changed hands several times, notably during the Revolution where it was sold as a national property, the castle was classified as a historical monument in 1964 for its facades, roofs, staircases and vaults. Abandoned in the 19th century, he was saved in 1967 by Mr. Schein, thus avoiding the destruction planned by the mayor of Dijon, Felix Kir, who wanted to move him near the lake of the city.

The architecture of the castle combines defensive elements, such as the traces of an old drawbridge above the entrance, and Renaissance features, such as the pediment windows and slate roofs. The round tower with a roof to the imperial, as well as the ditches surrounding the building, recall its medieval past. The park, built after the dismantling of the fortress, offers an unobstructed perspective towards meadows and charmilles, reflecting the landscape tastes of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The castle remains a major architectural testimony of the Renaissance in Burgundy, marked by Italian influences and successive transformations. Its history reflects the political and social upheavals, from feudalism to revolution, through periods of abandonment and restoration. Today, it embodies both a preserved historical heritage and a symbol of the resilience of monuments to demolition or displacement projects.

External links