Castle of Culan
The castle of Culan is a medieval fortress located on the commune of Culan, department of Expensive.
History
Founding member of the Road Jacques Heart. The castle, registered voter at the beginning of the 20th century on the list of the Historic buildings and classified (walls and roofs) in 1956, knew a tormented history.Built on a rocky outcrop dominating the river and the valley of the Arnon (classified natural site), the first construction timber - of which there do not remain nothing would have been demolished at the 10th century. One second masonry was besieged and destroyed by Philippe Auguste (in 1188) at the time of the mobile warfares.
The current castle started to be built at the end of the 12th century, beginning of the 13th century, construction continued until the 15th century, with rare additions with the rebirth (mullioned windows). At the time of the sling (in 1651), the castle will lose on order of Mazarin: top of its keep, part of its ramparts and its chatelet of entry.
It in particular belonged to the admiral de Culant (1360-1444), in Maximillien de Béthune, Duc of Sully (1599-1621) then to the Prince de Condé.
During the Revolution, the grounds of the castle were divided between some families and the fortress was sold like national good. It received several famous hosts: Jeanne d' Arc, Louis XI, Sully, Madam de Sévigné, the novelist George Sand, “the good lady of Nohant” come as a neighbor with Chopin, or Ernest Renan. The General De Gaulle, in visit with after war, preferred to spend the night in a particular residence of the street of the church.
Today
The castle of Culan is in excellent state. It was remarkably restored during the time 1950-1980 by a preceding owner, Jean Ferragut, who organized beautiful exposures there (Picasso, Bernard Buffet, Flemish tapestries, etc). It is one of the rare fortresses to still have its Hourd S of wood (see photo, it is the part between the roof and masonry of the turns) which made it possible to throw stones and various projectiles on the attackers. The castle has beautiful monumental chimneys of the 15th century. Around the castle were arranged at the end of the 20th century of the " gardens médiévaux".Today Jean Pierre Marquis (the father) and Edouard Marquis (his son) continues the work of restoration and maintenance.
Activities of the castle
The castle is visited every Easter Day to All Saints' day. Medieval weekends are organized there the last weeks of July and in August, as well as ten visits to the torches certain evenings of summer.
External bonds
- Official site of the castle of Culan
- Castles of the road Jacques-Heart