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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Sercy, located in the eponymous village of Saône-et-Loire, is a medieval fortress whose origins date back to the twelfth century, although its major modifications date back to the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It is distinguished by its complex defensive system, including two enclosures, various towers (including a circular tower and a remodeled dungeon), as well as a Romanesque chapel. Its architecture reflects the military and residential evolutions of the era, with notable influences such as the mâchicoulis inspired by the Palace of the Popes of Avignon or the heavy masonry reported from the Crusades.

The castle was deeply marked by conflicts, including the Hundred Years' War, which led to the partial destruction of its original drawbridge, replaced by a bridge sleeping today buried. In the 15th century, Guillaume de Sercy, baili de Chalon and close to Duke Philippe III of Burgundy, introduced defensive improvements and some comfort. The property, passed through centuries through noble families such as the Sercy, the Semur or the Contenson, was partially destroyed by a fire in 1929. Ranked a historic monument in 1974 for its facades, roofs and interior elements (slipper staircases, fireplaces), it remains a private property open to the public.

The history of the castle is also that of its emblematic lords. Jean de Sercy, who returned from the crusades in the 12th century, implanted a number of masonry hoards inspired by the Knights' Krak. In the 15th century, Guillaume de Sercy, the first shield of the Duke of Burgundy, welcomed the future Charles the Temerary, then page. The lineage of the Sercy died in the 16th century, leaving room for families like the Contenson, still owners today. The site thus illustrates nearly a thousand years of Burgundy history, between seigneurial power, military innovations and aristocratic life.

Architecturally, the castle consists of an irregular quadrilateral flanked by towers with various shapes (squares, circulars, or octagonal like the stair turret). The Porch Tower, with a covered mâchicoulis, and the Hourd Tower, with its one of the oldest skeleton frames in France, demonstrate advanced defensive techniques. The interior courtyard, surrounded by stone and wood-paned buildings, preserves traces of the 19th century modifications. The Romanesque chapel, stairway to the dungeon and old chimneys have been among the protected elements since 1974.

The castle of Sercy also embodies the political upheavals of Burgundy. In 1793 Claude Perroy de La Foretille, the last lord before the Revolution, was guillotined in Dijon. In the 19th century, the Contenson undertook restorations (1815–19) to preserve this heritage, despite the 1929 fire which partially ravaged the roof of the Archives Tower. Today, the site, still inhabited by the family of Contenson, offers a rare example of a well preserved medieval castle, open to visit and witness cultural exchanges between East and West during the crusades.

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