First quote of the castral motte 1370 (≈ 1370)
Written mention of Givarlais and his dungeon.
1527
Last dungeon certificate
Last dungeon certificate 1527 (≈ 1527)
Donjon still standing before destruction.
1632
Construction of the genthommière
Construction of the genthommière 1632 (≈ 1632)
M. de Favières built residence and chapel.
1636
Date of domestic chapel
Date of domestic chapel 1636 (≈ 1636)
Chapel rebuilt by Favières.
26 novembre 1990
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 26 novembre 1990 (≈ 1990)
Partial protection of the castle.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs; alcove room with woodwork decoration; chapel; Water ditches (cf. B 368, 369): registration by order of 26 November 1990
Key figures
M. de Favières - Manufacturer (1632)
Makes build gentilhommière and chapel.
Antoine de Favières - Counselor of the King (1679)
Possessor declared in terrier book.
Origin and history
The château de Chouvigny is a former fortified house located in the present commune of Haut-Bocage, in the Allier department. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries, it replaces a medieval dungeon attested from 1370 and surrounded by ditches. The present building, organized in U around a central courtyard, preserves a 17th century facade with a glass imposte door, as well as a domestic chapel built in 1636.
The castral motte of Givarlais, quoted in 1370, housed a dungeon still present in 1527. In 1632, M. de Favières, purchaser of the site, built a gentilhommière and rebuilt the chapel. His descendant, Antoine de Favières, a king's adviser in 1679, declared himself the owner of Chouvigny in a terrier book. The castle, partially listed as historical monuments in 1990, protects its facades, roofs, a wooded alcove room, the chapel and a water ditch.
The building is part of the history of Bourbonnais, an area marked by the influence of the Bourbon sires. The transformation of the site, from a medieval fortress to a seigneurial residence, illustrates the evolution of local elites between the Middle Ages and modern times. The remaining ditches and the chapel of 1636 testify to this architectural and social transition, while the inscription of 1990 underscores its heritage value.
