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Key figures

Origin and history

The Puy d'Auzon Castle is a neo-Renaissance building built between 1876 and the end of the 19th century on the basis of a former medieval fief that has now disappeared. Located in Cluis, in the department of Indre, it overlooks the brook of Auzon, from which it derives its name. Its current structure, designed by architect Alfred Dauvergne, consists of a rectangular two-storey body, flanked by a central gate tower and two square pavilions, all with slate roofs. A gallery-terrace adorns the main facade, reflecting the eclectic aesthetic of the era.

The estate was originally a fief of Cluis-Dessous, mentioned in 1489 as property of François de Bernaize. In 1575 he passed to the family of Areau, which kept him until 1778. In the 19th century, it was acquired by the family of Saint-Martin: Étienne de Saint-Martin, MP, councillor general and mayor of Cluis, made it his residence before he began his reconstruction in 1876. The castle changed its vocation in the 20th century, becoming a centre of work support for disabled people in the 1980s, then a place of event and accommodation after its sale in 2021.

The old castle, of which no trace remains, was a key element of the local seigneurial network. Its reconstruction in the 19th century illustrates the craze of the aristocracy for historical styles, here the Renaissance, while integrating modern amenities. The site, partially preserved despite recent sales, reflects the evolution of the uses of French castles, moving from noble residence to social equipment and then to tourist place. The two hectares of conserved park now house the new infrastructure of the Adapei association.

Written sources, such as the study by T. Massereau (1895), evoke missing elements, such as tapestries, highlighting the heritage character of the site. Today, the castle combines architectural heritage and contemporary activities, with reception rooms and guest rooms, while keeping part of its history linked to social accompaniment. Its architecture and course reflect the economic and social changes in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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