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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Tavannes, located in Aisey-sur-Seine (Côte d'Or), is an 18th-century reconstruction on the foundations of a 15th-century fortress. The project was carried out between 1735 and 1744 for Charles de Saulx, Viscount of Tavannes, reusing materials from the destroyed cathedral. Only the basements and the medieval staircase turret remain, integrated into a regular L-plan. The facades, roofs, entrance pavilions and access gates have been protected since 1988 as Historic Monuments.

The chapel, added between 1749 and 1751, completes an architectural ensemble marked by the legacy of the Saulx-Tavannes family. This lineage, which emerged from the alliance in 1504 between Jean de Saulx and Marguerite de Tavannes (heritage of a Burgundian fief linked to the canton of Bern), has dominated the region since the Middle Ages. The Duke of Saulx-Tavannes was created in 1786 by Louis XVI to honour their military and territorial influence in Burgundy.

The castle, a private property not open to the public, illustrates the transition between medieval defensive architecture and 18th century classical codes. Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments specifically concerns the external elements (facades, roofs, grids) and the access poles, testifying to a preserved heritage despite major transformations. The cartographic confusion with a "Château de Chavannes" (not attested by sources) highlights the uncertainties surrounding certain aspects of its history.

The site is part of a territory marked by the presence of several castles (like the one of the Bon Espoir nearby), reflecting the strategic and residential importance of the Seine valley in Burgundy. The recovered materials and the partial reuse of old structures reveal a common practice at the time, combining economy and aristocratic prestige.

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