Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Toury-Lurcy was born in the 12th century, as evidenced by an impressive round tower 25 metres high and 10 metres in diameter, a vestige of the medieval site. This first building, mentioned as early as 1370 in feudal acts, belonged to local lords such as Guyot Breschard de Thory or Jean Saulnier, squire, who paid tribute to the Count of Nevers for the seigneury of Thory-sur-Abron. The plans of 1778 reveal that the old castle, surrounded by today's missing ditches, was almost entirely demolished to give way to a new construction.

In 1776 Madame de Soultrait had a new castle built by reusing the materials of the old fortress. This classic building was enlarged in the late 19th century by architect Bouveault, who added an additional floor. The ground floor living room, decorated with a wallpaper in floral and animal arabesques (manufacture of the Veuve Mader, 1831), illustrates the refinement of this period. The commons, stables, forge and dovecote have retained their original layout, while the park and fence walls complete the whole.

The castle was partially classified as a Historical Monument in 2002 and 2004: the medieval tower, the communes, the park and the ground floor lounge (with its wallpaper) enjoy special protection. These measures underline the heritage value of a site mixing medieval heritage, transformations of the Enlightenment and beautifications of the 19th century. The remains of the well near the tower and the turrets of the corner also recall the strategic importance of the place throughout the centuries.

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