Segange Castle dans l'Allier

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Segange Castle, located in Avermes in the Allier department (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is an emblematic building of the 15th and 16th centuries. Built for Nicolas Petitdé, silversmith of John II, Duke of Bourbon, it illustrates Renaissance architecture with its high slate roof, its corbelled turret housing a chapel, and its pigeon tree. Its style reflects the influence of the Bourbon sponsors of the time, combining defensive function and refined aesthetics.

The history of the castle is marked by prestigious figures, including Anne de Bretagne, queen of France, who stayed there in 1495. In the 17th century, it passed to the hands of Hyacinthe of Bianki, of Polish origin, then to the Broc family by marriage, which adopted the name of the Broc of Segange. The French Revolution left behind painful traces: Guillaume Antoine du Broc de Segange died in prison in Moulins under the Terror, while the castle suffered destruction. His son, Jean Charles, an emigrant and veteran of the Vendée wars, became mayor of Avermes in the early 19th century.

The following generations, such as Louis (1808-1885) and Gaston (1847-1909) of the Segange Broc, distinguished themselves by their scholarly work on the Nivernais and Bourbonnais, perpetuating the link between the castle and local history. The turret, stairway and house were listed as historic monuments in 1938, recognizing their heritage value. The site thus bears witness to the political and cultural upheavals that crossed the region, from the Dukes of Bourbon to the Revolution.

Architecturally, the south-east facade, decorated in Renaissance style, and the chapel turret underline the religious and social importance of the castle. The dovecote, a practical and symbolic element, recalls its role as a seigneurial domain. The family archives, partially published in the 19th century, offer valuable insight into the aristocratic life in Bourbonnais, between land management, military commitments and intellectual production.

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