An imposing medieval fortress classified as a historical monument
30 km from Beaune, near Chagny, Château de Couches is an imposing medieval fortress classified as a "historic monument". On offer: guided tours in costume, shows, events and tastings.
A little history
The château is a former fortress of the Dukes of Burgundy dating back to the 11th century. Acting as a form of protection for the route between Paris and Chalon-sur-Saône, over the centuries, the château underwent many changes, but its defensive character remains intact. This fortress dominates the road and the surrounding countryside from the top of its crenellated towers and its keep. Inside, we visit the flamboyant Gothic chapel, the house, the tower of justice and especially its impressive cellars.
Château de Couches refers to Marguerite of Burgundy. Granddaughter of King Saint Louis and daughter of the Duke of Burgundy, she spent part of her youth in this place. Her marriage to the future Louis X le Hutin made her a queen of France but, convicted of adultery, she was locked away in the fortress of Château Gaillard in Normandy. Legend claims that after the death of her royal husband, secret negotiations between the crown and the powerful Duchy of Burgundy would have enabled her to end her days in Château de Couches.
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Château de Couches

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The Château de Brandon is a castle in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Varennes in the Saône-et-Loire département of France.
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
Ancient Rome : military post at junction of routes.
13th century :probable existence of a strengthened tower owned successively by the lords of Brandon then by captains who hold it in the name of the dukes of Burgundy.
1365 : the tower is entrusted to Robert d' Essertenne who becomes its hereditary lord.
14th century : the duke Philippe II of Burgundy raises the stronghold to a barony to the advantage of Philippe de la Roche, grandson of the preceding.
1453 : castle sold.
1528 : after complex successions within the Lugny family, the castle is acquired by Hugues-Bernard de Montessus
1633 : property seized by Charles de Montessus, great-grandson of the preceding.
1638 : sold to Alphonse de Chaumelis.
1653 : death of Alphonse de Chaumelis who leaves two daughters – Jeanne et Huguette – under the supervision of their uncle, Jean-Baptiste de Chaumelis.
1670 : Huguette de Chaumelis, daughter of Alphonse, marries Claude de la Coste, inherits Brandon at the conclusion of a fight against her uncle who had tried to despoil it.
1729 : attack on the castle by the local population organised by Eugene, son of Huguette, who seeks to dispossess his mother.
1729 : Jean-Baptiste, Huguette's other son, inherits the property at the death of his mother.
18th century : childless, Jean-Baptiste bequeaths the castle to Jeanne-Huguette de la Coste, his niece, wife of the marquis Jacques de Beaurepaire ; the main building, probably built by Chaumelis, is abandoned to the farmers.
End of the 18th century : a Beaurepaire daughter marries Louis Furrier de Cléry who, because of a spendthrift life, has to sell Brandon.
1826 : the property passes to Nicolas Tripier, a lawyer, deputy, and peer of France.
19th century : through the daughter of the preceding, Antoine Mala becomes owner of the castle.
Around 1900 : important restoration works carried out by the granddaughter of Nicolas Tripier, widow of Ferdinand de Jouvencel.
1922 : on the death of Mme de Jouvencel, the vicomte de Masin, her grandson, inherits the estate. The castle still belongs to this family.
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.

Château de Brandon

The square keep (Donjon) was built during the 12th century and is the oldest part of the chateau. During the 14th century, the medieval fortress has seen its defence system improved : a path round, the battlements, with crenellations for firing weapons, merlons for protection, and loopholes for archers. A dry ditch around the château reinforces the defence. You can cross it using a drawbridge between the two courtyards. This ditch was later filled up and the drawbridge removed.
The current appearance of the chateau has been designed in the 15th century with the apparition of a small courtyard and the North and East wings. Hence, the fortress became a manor house and later on, in the 18th century the outbuildings, the great and lower courtyards has been created.
The château de Rully has belonged to the same family from the very beginning. The changes of name over the centuries show that ownership was sometimes been transferred through the female line ; the main family names have been : Rully, Saint-Léger, Montessus and nowdays Ternay.
Owners themselves will welcome you and guide you through the chateau. During tour journey in chateau de Rully you will learn more about the castle history, the family anecdotes and, perhpas, some family secrets ... 
http://www.chateauderully.com

Château de Rully

Château de La Rochepot is a 12th-century feudal castle of neo-Gothic-Burgundian style, rebuilt in the 15th century. In the 19th century, it was completely restored and covered with glazed burgundy tiles; it lies in the commune of La Rochepot, in the Côte-d'Or department, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.
History
The feudal castle La Rochepot was built in 1180 on the ruins of the chateau burnt down in the 11th century. The chateau belonged to seigneur de Montagu Alexander of Burgundy (1170-1205) (son of Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy). Nowadays, these ruins are located in the nearby forest.
In 1403, having returned from the crusade, seigneur Régnier Pot (Chamberlain to the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold and Knight of the Golden Fleece) bought the chateau, which back then was called Château de La Roche Nolay. He renamed it after his name and transferred it to his son, seigneur Jacques Pot, who, in his turn, transferred it to his son, seigneur Philippe Pot.
After seigneur Régnier Pot bought the castle, Pinot noir grapes started being planted in its vicinity – as application of the Decree of Philip the Bold of 1395.
In the 16th century, Marshal of France Anne de Montmorency became the owner of the castle (who possessed more than 130 castles).
In the 17th century, Jean François Paul de Gondi, the Cardinal de Retz, inherited the castle, and, in 1644 he sold it to the cavalier and first President of the Parliament of Burgundy Pierre Legoux de la Berchère.
Joseph Blancheton was the last lord of the castle.
In 1789, during the French revolution, castle was renamed Château de La Roche Fidèle, declared a national property, and afterwards was partially destroyed by vandals. Left without the keep, the domain passed from hand to hand.
In 1893, Cécile Carnot (the wife of Sadi Carnot, President of the Republic) purchased the ruins and offered them as a gift to her eldest son, Infantry Colonel Sadi Carnot (1865-1948), who during 26 years carried out the great and meticulous historical restoration in the spirit of the 15th century.
In 2013, some parts of the castle were acknowledged as the regional historical monuments. In 2014, annex buildings, vineyards and the park were given the status of the national monument.
At the present day, the castle still belongs to the descendants of the Carnot family. It is open to visitors.

Château de la Rochepot

The Château de la Verrerie is a château in Le Creusot, Saône-et-Loire, France.
History
It was built in 1787.
It was acquired by Adolphe Schneider and his brother, Eugène Schneider, co-founders of Schneider-Creusot, in 1837.
Architectural signifiance
It has been listed as an official historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture since 1984.

Château de la Verrerie

Château de Germolles is situated in Burgundy, not far from Beaune and Chalon-sur-Saône. It is the best preserved residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Built during the second part of the 14th century, this château is important for the history of the region. Furthermore, it is a rare example of such a well-preserved residence in France in the 14th and the beginning of the 15th centuries, when most of the princely palaces of that period have almost entirely disappeared. This exceptional site evokes court life in France on the eve of the Renaissance.
It has been listed as a Historic monument since 1989.
History
Origins : the stronghold of the seigneurs of Germolles
The site of Germolles was occupied from the 13th century by a stronghold built by the local feudal lords of the manor: the seigneurs of Germolles. In the 2nd half of the 14th century, their financial situation was so critical that they had to sell the domain of Germolles which was purchased by the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold. We know very little about the appearance of the fortress of the lords of Germolles. It certainly had large towers and solid walls with only a few windows. All that remains of the original building are the lower chapel and the wine cellar.
Country estate of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders
In 1380, Philip the Bold (first Duke of Burgundy of the new royal Valois dynasty in France, after the Capetian dynasty came to an end) purchased the domain of Germolles. After one year, he gave it to his wife, the Duchess Margaret of Flanders. Important and expensive transformations were immediately undertaken by her. They lasted for the next ten years. The aim of the duchess was to transform the austere and archaic fortress of the 13th century into a country estate. In order to achieve this, she enlisted the help of artists working in the service of the ducal couple: the architect Drouet de Dammartin, the sculptors, Jean de Marville and Claus Sluter, and the painter Jean de Beaumetz. These artists worked at the same time on another important project of the Duke: the chartreuse de Champmol. The residence was slowly transformed into a sumptuous country estate. The large rectangular building, surrounded by a moat, enclosed a courtyard. The apartments were situated in the south and east wings, while the west wing contained receptions rooms, and the north wing was for the guards and security staff. The Duchess of Burgundy, who was energetic and a country lover, decided to develop at Germolles some rustic activities that would create a pleasant environment around her favourite residence, as well as developing local agriculture and providing some income for the maintenance of the domain. So she planted a large rose garden, and the petals were sent to Flanders to be used to make rose water. Similarly, a model sheepfold was built that reflected not only the Duchess’s interest in sheep, but also the important contribution of that animal, through its wool, to the fortune of Flanders, in Burgundy.
King Charles VI of France was received at Germolles on 12 February 1389, at the invitation of his aunt and uncle.
After the ducal period
After Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders, the château belonged to the following three Dukes of Burgundy : John the Fearless, Philip the Good and Charles the Bold. After the death of Charles the Bold in Nancy in 1477, the château became a possession of the King of France. Used by various families courtesy of the King until the end of the 18th century, the château was sold to the Nation after the French Revolution. Different kinds of destruction, voluntary or accidental, due in particular to the lack of maintenance, led to the loss of certain parts of the building. The château was purchased at the end of the 19th century by the same family who still own it. Today it is open to visitors throughout most of the year, and a programme of cultural events takes place annually.
Description
Remains of the original fortress
Two elements date from the first period of Germolles (13th century). They are still conserved because they were integrated into the project of transformation in a ducal palace. The large wine cellar used for the storage of wine and food has conserved its medieval appearance with modern gothic next to traditional Burgundian romanesque elements. The lower chapel has similar architecture but has sculptured decoration with both romanesque reliefs and gothic foliage.
The two towers at the entrance to the château certainly date from the original building but were reused and reinforced in the 14th century. Even if during the ducal period the château was no longer a fortress, the importance of the rulers of the place required the presence of an escort confined to the châtelet comprising the towers and the guard room.
Sumptuous princely palace
The reception room above the cellar was used in the 14th century to receive important guests. It was destroyed by a fire at the beginning of the 19th century but the remains indicate its original size. The south wall of the room was decorated with a monumental fireplace on top of which was a gallery for the musicians. The remains of this fireplace were removed in the 20th century to the great hall of the present château. It is adorned with capitals from the workshop of Claus Sluter representing a scene of Chrétien de Troyes’s novel, Yvain, the Knight with the Lion. Today archaeological discoveries made in the château are displayed in the reception room. The château still has a large collection of medieval floor tiles that decorated the floors of the 1st and 2nd floors of the ducal residence. Made of enamelled terracotta, they are decorated with motifs such as daisies, lions that are the symbols of the rulers of the place as well as roses, thistles, sheep, suns, fleur-de-lis etc.
Ducal chapel
The duchess’s architect created, above the old lower chapel, a ducal chapel. This is composed of a nave, as well as a choir (architecture) installed in the elegant octagonal turret built as a bartizan and a private and comfortable oratory with its own fireplace. It was reserved for the devotions of the princess. At the end of the 19th century a fire destroyed this exquisite part of the building which was then exposed to the elements. In 2009–2010, restoration work under the supervision and with the financial support of the government and the Department of Saône-et-Loire, was carried out to restore the roof and top part of the turret and recreate the sense of the space of the nave with a modern protection.
Main building and the luxurious comfort of the court of Burgundy
Today the main building is separated from the rest of the château that surrounded the courtyard. It is certainly the most remarkable part of the château. It is particularly well preserved with elements showing the quality of the construction: large windows opening to the outside, turrets with internal spiral staircases cut in stone, gothic fireplaces... Its three floors are the architectural manifestation of the brilliant court of the duke and duchess: the ground floor was used for domestic activities, the first floor contained the ducal apartments and the second, the court apartments. In one of the kitchens on the ground floor, the large gothic fireplace still in its original position evokes the activities of the place. Gothic Revival architecture wall paintings with rose motifs were revealed during recent restoration work carried out in at the beginning of the 20th century. On the first floor, the dressing room of Margaret of Bavaria (daughter in-law of the ducal couple and future duchess of Burgundy), still possesses its murals that have been recently restored. These paintings by Jean de Beaumetz and his assistant Armoult Picornet are very rare examples of princely wall paintings in France at the end of the Middle Ages. The motifs P and M, initials of the duke and the duchess, cover the walls, along with thistles, a noble flower with sharp prickles which is the emblem of Margaret of Flanders. This decoration which extended to the floor (with floor tiles showing thistles) can be found as well in the adjoining room. Cleaning has revealed wall paintings similar to those in the dressing room. Other wall paintings with roses and daisies have been discovered in other apartments on the first floor. The garret or rooms under the timbers on the second floor were for the court that accompanied the ducal couple. The ceiling built as an inverted hull of a ship was panelled and the walls were decorated with tapestries. One of these rooms, restored at the beginning of the 20th century is covered with copies of wall paintings from originals of the first floor.
Gardens to accompany the ducal residence
The garden created by Margaret of Flanders and the large rose garden have disappeared. Transformed into a romantic English garden at the end of the 19th century, the park has some charming spots with old and rare trees such as a Bald Cypress, a Tulip tree from Virginia, a ginkgo biloba, an araucaria, and groups of lime trees.
Some dates
1380: The duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold, purchased Germolles for his wife, Margaret of Flanders;
1382: beginning of the renovation and re-building of the residence. The work lasted fifteen years during which the château was transformed into a luxurious country estate;
1389: visit of King Charles VI of France;
1393: Claus Sluter carved the famous group showing Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders ; the duke and the duchess are seated under an elm, surrounded by sheep;
1399: a statue of the Virgin Mary was made by Claus Sluter and his workshop and placed at the entrance to the château;
1466: restoration of the group made by Claus Sluter, protected against the elements;
1873: fires destroyed parts of the château.

Château de Germolles

The Château de Sully, situated between Autun and Beaune (Saône-et-Loire), is the largest of the Renaissance châteaux of southern Burgundy. Paired outbuildings of a more vernacular character face each other across a grassed forecourt, while to the rear is the vegetable garden, fenced by fruit trees. The château is approached by an axial stone bridge across its moat. The façades express the traditionally defensive character of the rez-de-chaussée, the ground floor, and the richer, more open aspect of the piano nobile, articulated by pilasters. Under the central pediment that breaks the line of a traditional sloping slate roof, the arched portal is scaled to admit riders and carriages. Four similarly-treated ranges, flanked by matching angled corner towers with pyramidal roofs and surrounded by the moat, enclose a Renaissance courtyard built for the Maréchal de Saulx-Tavanes, confident of Catherine de' Medici.
The splendor of the interior courtyard shows that this château, though symmetrical and regular, still looks inwards. A rusticated ground floor with arch-headed windows supports a main floor where paired pilaster-defined bays that alternate between windows and coved niches.
The historic chateau of the MacMahon family, from the marriage of the heiress Charlotte de Morey, with Jean-Baptiste de MacMahon, Sully was the birthplace of the monarchist Field Marshal, Patrice MacMahon, duc de Magenta, who was President of the French Third Republic from 1873 to 1879. The Château de Sully remains the home of the present duchesse de Magenta and her family.
The château of Henri IV's minister, Maximilien de Béthune and the ducs de Sully, is the Château de Sully-sur-Loire.

Château de Sully

Château de Bissy-sur-Fley is located in the town of Bissy-sur-Fley in Saône-et-Loire.The castle has retained a pregnant elongated rectangular, pierced at both ends of driveway gates. The south gate is flanked by a square tower. The house, a rectangular plan, is flanked by a circular tower at the northwest corner, an oblong tower at the southeast corner), a square tower at the southwest corner and a stair tower facade. The castle, privately owned, is open to visitors. It is the subject of a registration as a historic monument since June 3, 1932.
http://www.frenchchateau.net/chateaux-of-bourgogne/chateau-de-bissy-sur-fley.html