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Origin and history

Turly Castle, located in the Cher department, is a former residence of the Archbishops of Bourges. By the end of the 12th century, the estate belonged to the latter, but it was in 1496 that Archbishop Guillaume de Cambrai (or Cambray) began his reconstruction. This medieval castle, marked by towers and a defensive structure, becomes a place of power and representation for the Burgundy clergy.

In the 4th quarter of the 17th century, after the ravages of civil wars, the castle was deeply transformed under the impulse of Monsignor Phélypeaux de la Vrillière. The ditches are filled, the walls of the courtyard destroyed, and a stone bridge replaces the old drawbridge. The estate then adopts a regular plan, typical of the aristocratic residences of the period, with a furnished terrace and redesigned gardens. A quote even mentions the intervention of André Le Nôtre for a floor, although its exact role remains to be specified. The wings and pavilions, sheltering chapel and commons, are rebuilt, while the medieval towers of the house body are preserved and redesigned.

Work continued in the 18th century: in 1784, a new courtyard was built, and the courtyard façade enriched with a gallery. However, the Revolution marked a turning point: in 1791 the estate was sold as a national good, putting an end to its ecclesiastical use. In the 19th century, between 1858 and 1891, Baron de Laître undertook a major restoration with architect Saglio, while entrusting landscaper Paul de Lavenne de Choulot with the creation of an agricultural and landscape garden. The castle, now protected by historical monuments (registration in 2006 and 2020), thus preserves the traces of its metamorphoses, from medieval foundations to classical beautifications.

The architectural ensemble reflects this superimposition of the epochs: the court of honour, flanked by 17th century wings, opens onto gardens whose composition mainly dates from the 18th century. The vaulted chapel recalls medieval origin, while the entrance pavilions, with turrets, illustrate the taste for symmetry in modern times. The park, enlarged and remodeled, bears witness to the landscape influences of the 17th and 19th centuries.

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