Timeline

Origin and history

The Château de Petit Bois is an iconic building located in Cosne-d'Allier, in the department of l'Allier, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Built in the 19th century in flamboyant Gothic style, it replaces a castral motte attested from the 14th century. Its architecture combines ochre stone elements for the ground floor and pink bricks for the floors, with a slate roof and an octagonal tower topped by a bell tower.

The castle rises to the eastern edge of the village, in a park with trees, and is distinguished by its pavilion roof and much higher tower than the rest of the building. The municipality of Cosne-d'Allier owns it and has granted the walls for a hotel-restaurant operation, after an extensive restoration program conducted between 2019 and 2021.

The history of the site dates back to the Middle Ages, with a castral motte reported from the 14th century. The present castle, built much later, illustrates the 19th century's enthusiasm for neo-medieval styles, while integrating architectural elements typical of this era, such as the use of brick and slate roofs.

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