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Origin and history

The castle of Longecourt-en-Plaine, located in the department of the Côte-d'Or, finds its origins in the 13th century as a fort house belonging to Robert de Boisleux, lord artesian near the Duke of Burgundy. In 1298, the estate was sold to Duke Robert II, and in 1323 to Edward I of Bar to settle the dowry of Mary of Burgundy. The family of Bar kept the site until 1436, when the fortress fell in ruins, its stones being even reused in 1421 by the Duchess Marguerite of Burgundy to build the tower of the Château de Rouvres.

In the 15th century, Jean de Fribourg, Marshal of Burgundy, inherits a site in poor condition: only a cellar (old kitchen), a motte and ditches are left. In 1459, the family of Basley undertook major restorations. Jean de Réssey initiated the works before his death at the Battle of Morat (1476), then his son Antoine, returning from the Italian wars, rebuilt the brick castle between 1495 and 1539. This countryside gives the castle its current quadrilateral plan, its moat, its flamboyant Gothic chapel and remarkable earthenware pavements. The site also welcomed Catherine de Medici and Charles IX in 1564.

The transformation into a marina began in the 17th century under Jacques Berbis, who acquired the estate in 1680. It removes the north building body and sets up gardens by deviating the Oucherotte (1690). In the 18th century, Nicolas Lenoir, dit le Romain, led a radical renovation (1757-1761) for Nicolas-Philippe Berbis: bay piercings, decorations of Italian and German stuccos, Tuscan porticos, and interior redevelopment (column hall, large living room). The medieval stairs are replaced by a double staircase, and the furniture is redesigned. Despite the damage caused by the German occupation in 1870, the stuccos were restored.

The 19th century brought neo-Gothic modifications ( tower lucarns, wide bay gallery) and a bridge built in 1860. During the Second World War, the castle was requisitioned: first by the Germans of the KG55 (1940-1944) to house officers and services of the Longvic base, then by the Americans of the 320th Bomber Group (November 1944 - March 1945). Joined historic monuments in 1946, it now belongs to the family Le Guz de Saint-Seine and offers guest rooms.

The castle is distinguished by its preserved medieval and Renaissance elements: a 13th century vaulted kitchen decorated with grotesques, a castral chapel with dogive vaults and enamelled pavements armorized (late 15th century), and unique tiles of faience (1495) blending traditional motifs (blasons, castles) and innovations (portraits in medallions). The large living room, decorated in 1756, preserves stuccos imitating marble, garlands of roses and a bath of Diane surmounting the fireplace. The 40-hectare park, with its three-hundred-year-old trees, and the moats crossed by three bridges complete this combination of military history and classical elegance.

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