Original use Castle Owner Masin family Phone +33 3 85 55 45 16 | Current use Museum Designated 1975 | |
 | ||
Address 71670 Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes, France Built 12th century, 18th century Similar Château de Couches, Château de Sully, Château de La Rochepot, Château de la Verrerie, Château de Germolles | ||
The Château de Brandon is a castle in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes in the Saône-et-Loire département of France.
Contents
History
The castle was built on the site of Gallo-Roman camp. Although it undoubtedly existed before, there is no documentary evidence before the 13th century when a charter shows it as a purely defensive site under the Duchy of Burgundy, which it remained until the 15th century.
It is an excellent example of military architecture with upper and lower walled courtyards, 12th century round walk and a 13th-century drawbridge tower. The main building was modified during the reign of King Louis XIII where the fortress was turned into a 17th-century residence.
Description
The castle stands on top of a hill. The buildings are distributed around an irregular shaped enceinte divided into two by a wall separating the farmyard of the lower courtyard from the residential court. The latter, of lengthened rectangular form, is flanked in the north-western and north-eastern corners by square towers. A wing at right angles occupies the east side; it is connected by a section of wall to a third square tower. The courtyard is completed by the agricultural buildings and a stable. A gate tower located at the south-western corner gives access to this area.
History
Sources:
Today
The castle is privately owned. It has been listed since 1975 as a monument historique on the supplementary inventory of the French Ministry of Culture. It is a family home and open to the public in July and August.