Domaine de Varennes à Charette-Varennes en Saône-et-Loire

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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Varennes estate, located in Charette-Varennes en Saône-et-Loire, is a castle built mainly in the early 19th century. It succeeds an ancient feudal castle surrounded by triple ditches, a tower of which remained until the end of the 18th century. The seigneury of Varennes, originally owned by the house of Vienna in the 13th century, was sold to the Dukes of Burgundy in 1291, then passed into the hands of several noble families, including the Mailly, the Ragot and finally the Truchi from 1729. The latter, still owners today, have profoundly marked the history of the estate.

The present castle was enlarged between 1809 and 1829 by Claude-François-Charles de Truchis, who added a farm and stables after his return from emigration. His son, Guillaume, completed the construction on the north side, including a large staircase and a living room, while the local architect Fondet drew up the plans. The park, partially designed by Lyon landscaper Joseph Kettmann, was built in an irregular style. In 1913, William's grandson Stanislas de Truchis began the construction of a neo-Roman chapel dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Maurice, inaugurated in 1923. The architect Adolphe Prost is inspired by Burgundy Romanesque art and early times of Christianity for its realization.

The estate, which also includes brick neo-medieval-style communes, was partially listed as historical monuments on 8 June 2021. The chapel, the facades and roofs of the castle, as well as some outbuildings, are protected. Although private property not open to the public, the estate illustrates the architectural and landscape evolution of a Burgundy seigneury, from feudal origins to its 19th century transformations.

The coat of arms of the Truchis family, who had owned the estate since 1729, represented a crown of a golden pine, supported by two lions, topped by a helmet decorated with plumes and a lion brandishing a sword. This family also owns the nearby castles of Terrans and Lays-sur-le-Doubs, strengthening its historical anchor in the region.

The original feudal castle, mentioned by Claude Court sword in the 18th century, was a rare example in Burgundy of fortresses protected by a three-way ditches. Although few remains remain, the archives retain a map of the domain of 1790, testifying to the spatial organization before the 19th century transformations. The work carried out by the Truchi has erased much of the medieval traces, but the site retains a stratified memory, mixing feudal heritage and neo-classical or neo-medieval creations.

Today, the Varennes estate remains a remarkable example of Burgundy private heritage, combining family history, eclectic architecture and landscape. Its recent listing in historic monuments underscores its heritage value, while preserving its intimate character and residential use.

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