Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Mornay Fort House, or Château de la Grand'Cour, is a medieval building located in Mornay-Berry, in the Cher department. Mentioned from 1151 in the cartular of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Fontmorigny, a first construction is attested in the middle of the 12th century. The present fortress, built in the 13th century, replaced this initial structure and played a strategic role during the Hundred Years' War, thanks to its position on the border between Nivernais and Berry.

The architecture of the House fort is distinguished by a quasi circular platform surrounded by ten-metre wide moat, accessible by an entrance tower protected by an assumer and an old tilting bridge. This type of fortress, called "shell", is rare in France. In the 18th century, the house was restored to house a tile-brickery operator, then a farm, before being listed as a historical monument in 2009.

The entrance tower, initially surmounted by slots, was modified by the addition of a heavy-duty floor accessible via a screw staircase. A monumental fireplace adorns the upper floor. The remains of the lower court, where the tilery was installed in the 18th century, disappeared around 1900. Since 1987, gardens have been set up on the site, which today hosts visits and guest rooms.

The castle has been fully protected since 2009, including built elements and moat floors. Open to Easter visit to Toussaint, it offers a rare testimony of medieval fortifications adapted to the defensive and economic needs of their time.

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