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Origin and history

Verneuil-sur-Indre Castle consists of two distinct parts: the remains of a 15th century medieval castle and a 18th century classical castle. The latter was erected as a marquisat in 1746 for the Chaspoux family, probably at the initiative of Eusebe-Jacques Chaspoux, the first Marquis de Verneuil. The medieval castle, spared during the construction of the new one, presents typical elements of late Gothic architecture, such as mâchicoulis, crenelages and a polygonal tower housing a stone screw. The two buildings, although stylistically contrasted, coexist on the same estate, offering a rare testimony of the evolution of architectural techniques and tastes.

The history of the castle dates back at least to the 9th or 10th century, when Verneuil was a member of the Brazilian sires. The seigneury then passed into the hands of several noble families, including the Amboises, the Craon, the Chabots, and the Dirons, who had the medieval castle built in the 15th century. In the 17th century, the land of Verneuil was acquired by Jacques I Chaspoux, whose descendants, including Eusebe-Jacques and Eusebe-Félix Chaspoux, marked the history of the estate by erecting the new castle there and obtaining its erection as a marquisate. The new castle, wrongly attributed to Jules Hardouin-Mansart, was in fact designed by Jean Mansart de Jouy between 1739 and 1756 under the influence of the Louis XIV style.

The old castle, characteristic of the monumental reconstructions of the 15th century, has two perpendicular wings and a cylindrical tower. Its square dungeon was rebuilt around 1850. The new castle, on the other hand, is distinguished by its three central spans surmounted by a dome with four slopes and a lantern. Interiors preserve period woodwork, restored in the 19th century. The two castles were initially connected by a buried corridor, destroyed in the early 19th century. The facades and roofs, as well as the entrance hall and the large staircase, have been included in the additional inventory of historical monuments since 1975.

The property changed hands several times after the Chappoux, passing in particular to the families of Appelvoisin, Borne-Saint-Etienne, and Raimond-Modène, before being sold in 1880 to Henriette-Adèle Dalle, widow Morillon. The latter undertook major restorations between 1880 and 1904, modifying certain elements of the old house and removing 18th-century developments. A recent study, conducted in 2018 by CARDO Architecture and Landscape, has helped to better understand the evolution of the field and its architectural transformations.

The castle of Verneuil-sur-Indre thus illustrates a superposition of styles and periods, reflecting the social and architectural changes of the Touraine, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Its history, marked by noble families and renowned architects, makes it an emblematic monument of French heritage.

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