Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montcony, located in the department of Saône-et-Loire in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, finds its origins in the 13th century, although its major transformations date back to the 15th and 19th centuries. Built on a flat plot of land at the top of a small hill, it was originally surrounded by crenellated courtes, now extinct. This monument, a private property not open to the public, embodies the architectural heritage of the Louhanese Bresse, with its four round brick towers and conical roofs in ochre tiles.

In the Middle Ages, the castle belongs to the family of Montcony, close to the Dukes of Burgundy. In 1434 Guillaume de Montcony, a chamberlain, welcomed the Duchess Isabelle of Portugal. The seigneury then passed into the hands of influential families: the Arviset in the 17th century, then the Jehannin and the La Rodde, the latter deeply marking its history until the 19th century. The Revolution saw the emigration of Stephen-Charles-Louis de La Rodde, before his return to France in 1804.

The 19th century brought significant architectural changes, directed around 1870 by architect Charles Switzerland. The ditches, the sleeping bridge and the towers are preserved, while the house body is redesigned. The 18th century chapel, located in the southwest tower, still houses an altar and woodwork. In 1993, the castle was included in the inventory of historical monuments, and in 2001 it was classified after major restoration work between 2002 and 2005, awarded with a Regional Heritage Prize.

The castle has suffered numerous lootings since the 1980s, resulting in the disappearance of almost all its historic furniture. The current owners, the Mareschal family of Longeville de La Rodde, have secured the premises and sheltered the remaining archives and furniture. Today, the site, although private, remains a symbol of the Bressan heritage, combining medieval history and modern transformations.

The coat of arms of successive families — Montcony, Arviset, La Rodde and Mareschal de Longeville — bear witness to their passage. The motto of La Rodde, "Audaces Fortuna Juvat", reflects the spirit of these lords. The castle, with its commons, farm and well, forms a coherent whole, typical of the seigneurial houses of the region.

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