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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Anstrude, located in Bierry-les-Belles-Fontaines in Yonne, was built in 1710 by André François d'Anstruther, a lord of Scottish origin. His name, francized in Anstrude under Louis XV, even temporarily gave his name to the commune. The building is distinguished by its classical architecture: a central house body framed by two round towers covered with dardoise, extended by low wings. A closed passage connects the castle to the nearby church, allowing lords to access it directly for the offices.

The estate was erected as a barony in 1737-1738 for François-César of Anstrude, descendant of a Scottish noble line dating back to David of Anstrude, archer of the Scottish Guard in 1337. In 1730 François-César married Hélène-Thérèse Quarré-d The castle, with its outbuildings, entrance gate and balustrade, was listed as historic monuments on June 12, 1946, recognizing its heritage value.

The history of the castle is inseparable from that of its founding family, the Anstrude, whose influence extends over centuries. The land of Bierry, originally called Anstrude by royal letters, illustrates the integration of a Scottish nobility into the French aristocracy. The covered passage towards the church, typical of seigneurial castles, emphasizes the social and religious status of the owners, while architecture reflects the aesthetic cannons of the eighteenth century in Burgundy.

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