Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château du Bouchet, located in Rosnay in Indre, is an ancient medieval fortress built from the 12th century on a slicing hill, north of the Red Sea pond. Its history is marked by major changes in the 13th, 15th and 17th centuries, from a purely defensive function to an aristocratic residence. The site, isolated from the main routes of communication, was said to have housed a home from the Gallo-Roman period, as evidenced by a piece discovered in 1921.

In the 12th century, the castle belonged to the Sénebaud family, of which Guy Sénebaud, a companion of Philippe Auguste's weapons, was the first identified owner. His son, Lovery Sénebaud, reportedly accompanied Saint Louis during the seventh crusade. In the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle changed hands several times, passing from the Naillac to the English, before being taken over by Pierre d'Oradour in 1371, confirmed by Charles V. The fortress remained in the Oradour family until 1451, when it was passed on to the Taveau of Morthemer by the marriage of Mary of Oradour with Geoffroy Taveau.

In the 15th century, the castle was almost entirely rebuilt, preserving elements such as the "English dungeon" (built by the English) and the towers of the prison and pigeon house. In 1519 he took possession of the Rochechouart de Mortemart, an influential family that modernized him in the 17th century by destroying part of the fortifications to erect a classic wing with gallery and terrace. During the Revolution, the castle was seized as a national property in 1789, bought in 1796 by a faithful Duke of Mortemart, then restored in 1802. Sold in 1808 to the mayor of Rosnay, the property remained in the Hérault de la Vérone family until 2016, before being acquired by the Durand family in 2018.

Architecturally, the castle consists of a central courtyard surrounded by buildings, with a 14th century dungeon, medieval towers (including a so-called prison), and 17th century wings. The original drawbridge has disappeared, but traces remain. Les Rochechouart adds classic elements such as Louis XIV woodwork and a vaulted gallery. Partly classified as historical monuments (facades, roofs, fireplace of the small living room), the castle is now open to visit, testifying to eight centuries of history between conflicts, alliances and architectural transformations.

Among the notable anecdotes, the Marquise de Montespan stayed there with her sisters in the 17th century. The castle, sold as a national good, escapes destruction thanks to its acquisition by a close friend of the Mortemarts. The 20th-century restorations, led by architect Jules Grenouillot, preserved elements such as the skylights and tower covers. The site, listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage, remains an emblematic example of the evolution of castles in residences of pleasure in the Centre-Val de Loire.

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