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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Coudray Castle, located in Luçay-le-Libre in Indre (Centre-Val de Loire), is a monument dating back to the 15th century, with major transformations in the 17th century. It is partially surrounded by moat and includes adjoining buildings, a chapel, orangeries, and two symmetrical commons. The original house, enlarged in 1569, was completed by two pavilions in 1777, and a French-style garden was built in 1783.

The castle was owned by the family of Sévigné from 1637, when Renaud de Sévigné became lord by his marriage to Gabrielle du Bellay. After their death, the estate passed to their son René-François de Sévigné, then to his descendants. The castle was listed as historical monuments in 1985 for its facades, roofs, and an arcade gallery.

The site was also marked by conflicts, as a siege by the English in the 15th century and the passage of the Leagues in 1590. Its architecture combines a 15th century mansion, with a square tower and a semi-circular tower, and a 17th century building with a gallery based on polygonal pillars.

Historical sources also mention inheritance disputes between the Sévigné and the Bellay, as well as notarial acts such as a mutual donation between Renaud de Sévigné and his wife in 1650. The castle, restored at the end of the 19th century, preserves traces of these different periods.

Today, the Coudray Castle is protected for its iconic architectural elements, such as the arcade gallery and a surviving fireplace. It bears witness to the seigneurial history of the region and the architectural transformations between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

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