Castle of Perassier dans l'Allier

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Origin and history

The castle of Perassier stands about 2 km north of Néris-les-Bains, in the department of Allier, separated from the city by a valley it dominates. His name, Perassier or Perisier, would evoke according to local tradition an analogy with steel, perhaps reflecting the motto of the lords who possessed him. The site, located on a motte, would have Gallo-Roman origins, although the current buildings date mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Architecturally, the castle combines a typical fortress of the late 15th century, marked by a round tower, and a more recent wing linking it to an imposing 16th century square tower, with a four-sided roof. Moat, partially preserved, gird on the northwest side, reinforcing its defensive character. Local legend repels its origins in the 11th century, but no archaeological source confirms this hypothesis.

Originally owned by Jean de Périer in the 15th century, the estate then changed hands several times, passing between those of the families Monestay, Forges, Châteaubodeau, Culant, then Desbouis, the latter also possessing property in Néris-les-Bains. Sold as a national property during the Revolution, the property became in the 19th century a popular promenade for the curists of the nearby spa. Its towers and moats, immortalized by engravings like Ferdinand Dubreuil, make it a symbol of the golden age of Neris-les-Bains. Today, the castle is converted into a guest house.

The site is part of the continuity of the ancient past of Néris-les-Bains, extending a Gallo-Roman heritage linked to the thermal baths. Its history, combining military architecture and tourist destination, illustrates the evolution of the use of castles in Bourbonnais, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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