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Origin and history

The Old Castle of Thenissey is a fortified dungeon erected between the 14th and 15th centuries, located south of the village of Thenissey, in the major bed of the river Oze, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. This monument, typical of medieval defensive buildings, is distinguished by its massive upstairs tower, including a vaulted base, square rooms and a screw staircase. Its architecture reflects the strategic needs of the time, with elements such as latrines, double chimneys and modern bays added later.

In 1291 Jean de Thenissey held the stronghold for Étienne de Mont-Saint-Jean. In the 15th century, the site passed into the hands of several lords: Guillaume de Bournonville in 1445, then Jean and Guillaume Poinceot in 1474, all holding the fief of the Duke of Burgundy. Around 1470, Guillaume de Hochberg, Count of the Charollais and Marshal of Burgundy, undertook the reconstruction of the fortified house, which had become obsolete. His son, Philippe de Hochberg, then his grandson, added a strong tower, thus consolidating the ensemble. In 1595, Daniel d'Edouard had the estate by marriage.

The main tower, partially preserved, consists of three living levels surmounted by a corbelling floor today deteriorated. Each level is divided by a split wall supporting functional elements such as chimneys and a spiral staircase. The entrance, located in the east, gives access to a vaulted room serving the staircase and a cellar. The upper floors, illuminated by dust windows, housed latrines and chimneys, illustrating the relative comfort of the ancient lords. The castle has been listed as historic monuments since March 22, 1929, recognizing its heritage value.

The two castles of Thenissey, including the Old Castle, are part of a landscape marked by feudal conflicts and the domination of the Dukes of Burgundy. Their strategic position near the Oze underlines their role in controlling the surrounding roads and agricultural land. The reconstruction in the 15th century coincided with a period of strengthening seigneurial power in Burgundy, where noble families, like the Hochbergs, consolidated their possessions with alliances and defensive work.

Today, the Old Castle of Thenissey, although partially in ruins, remains a remarkable example of Burgundian castral architecture. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments protects its remains, while offering a tangible testimony to the political and social dynamics that shaped the region in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The tower, with its defensive and residential elements, illustrates the duality of medieval castles, both fortresses and seigneurial residences.

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