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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Centre Val-de-Loire
  4. Loir-et-Cher
  5. 41310 Authon

  6. Château du Fresne

 Château du Fresne à Authon dans le Loir-et-Cher

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château
Loir-et-Cher

Château du Fresne

    347 Le Fresne
    41310 Authon
Château du Fresne
Château du Fresne
Château du Fresne
Château du Fresne
Château du Fresne
Crédit photo : Louis Boudan (fl. 1687–1709) Descriptiondessinateu - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1800
1900
2000
1766
Reconstruction of the castle
21 juillet 1961
Historical monument classification
5 mars 2007
Supplementary registration
30 août 2021
Fire from addiction
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The castle; the north side pavilion that houses the chapel; the facades and roofs of the southern side pavilion, the two entrance towers and the two entrance pavilions; facades and roofs of the orangery building; the facades and roofs of the building of the communes, raised on cellars, attached to this ensemble; the floor of the court of honor; the parterre à la française (cad. A 33, 34, 35, 42, 572): classification by decree of 21 July 1961 - The 18th century cooler, in its entirety; the facades and roofs of the two wings of the communes; the facades and roofs of the two constructions extending the round towers of the courtyard of honour (cf. A 01 2, 35, 711, 712, placed le Fresne): entry by order of 5 March 2007

Key figures

Anatole Amoudru - Architect Reconstructed the castle from 1766.

Origin and history

The Château du Fresne, located in Authon in the department of Loir-et-Cher (region Centre-Val de Loire), is a building whose origins date back to the 17th century, but whose current structure was mainly rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century. The monument consists of a rectangular central house, flanked by round towers and square pavilions, organized around a courtyard of honor and a park of 140 hectares. The outbuildings, including an orangery and commons, complement this architectural ensemble, partially preserved since the original mansion.

The architect Anatole Amoudru led the works from 1766, transforming the former mansion into a radiant castle, with alleys structuring the park and a French garden. Only the communes of the original mansion remain, while the court of honour is marked by symmetrical elements: two round towers, two 17th century square pavilions, and wings housing a chapel and a bath pavilion. The estate, surrounded by a wall, illustrates the evolution of aristocratic tastes between classicism and rural functionality.

Ranked a historic monument since 21 July 1961 for its remarkable facades, roofs and elements (such as the 18th century cooler or chapel), the castle suffered a fire on 30 August 2021, damaging the roof of an outbuilding. The successive protections (1961 and 2007) underline its heritage importance, combining medieval heritage reinterpreted and lighting developments. The Merimée base and local sources, such as Monumentum, document its architectural evolution and its specificities, such as the dovecote or orangery.

The site, whose exact address is 5001 Le Fresne, 41310 Authon, remains a testament to the transformation of seigneurial residences into agricultural and residential areas. Although the accuracy of its location is considered mediocre (level 5/10), its cadastral plan and its protected elements (parterre à la française, sol de la cour) make it an example of the castel heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region. The archives also mention possible contemporary uses, such as visits or rentals, without further details.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum