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Origin and history

Ruffey Castle, located in Sennecey-le-Grand in Saône-et-Loire, is a 12th and 13th century monument. It occupies a rectangular platform surrounded by ditches carved in the rock, with three round towers and a square tower. The site, lined with buildings on three sides, preserves an isolated tower to the west and a main house body to the east, marked by sill windows and ground chimneys. A round path runs along the walls, and the commons share this defensive device.

The Brancion family, probably at the origin of its construction in the 13th century, built on an ancient Roman post. In the 14th century, the fief passed to Nanton's house after the dismantling of Brancion possessions. At the end of the 15th century, Claude de Lugny built a seigneurial chapel. The castle then changed hands several times: it was owned by the Seyssel La Chambre in the 16th century, then sold to the Bauffremont de Sennecey. In 1714 he was detached from the Barony of Sennecey for the Duke of Lauzun, before being assigned to the Gontaut-Biron in the 18th century. Sold in year VI, it was partially destroyed around 1825, then restored from 1875 by J.-B. Virey.

Located in historical monuments since 1946, Ruffey Castle illustrates the architectural and seigneurial evolution of medieval Burgundy. Its successive coat of arms, such as those of the House or the Gontaut-Biron, testify to its historic importance. Today it is privately owned and retains defensive and residential elements characteristic of Burgundian castles.

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