Château de Boucard, Le Noyer, France

The château de Boucard name comes from the Boucard family from Gascony, who became landowners in the Berry, after the wedding of Jean de Boucart with Anne de Blancafort at the end of the 14th century. Shortly after their settlement, the castle was built on an ancient feudal mound (Motte du Plessis) by Lancelot de Boucart. The castle has kept its medieval styled châtelet entrance, outer walls and angled towers.

The château as we know it today is due for the most part to Antoine de Boucard, gentilhomme of the house of François Ier, soldier of the Italian wars, who built a new dwelling on the yard's southern angle, around 1520, in Renaissance style. One of his descendants, François de Boucard, rebuilt the wing in 1560. On the façade is written the castle's motto « Victrix patentia fatia » (patience, destiny's winner).

From 1671 to 1674, Louis XIV assigned Philippe de Montaut-Bénac de Navailles to reside with Boucard, who opened the yard up on the Sauldre and arranged the first floor of the northern wing.

The gardening plan was assigned by Dosmont, pupil of the King's architect Jean-Michel Chevotet, to fermier général Étienne Perrinet de Jars who became owner of the castle in 1760. The family still owned the castle, but gradually lost interest; the domain was progressively abandoned during the 19th century, to become only a site dedicated to hunting.

In the 1920s, Charles-Auguste de Bryas, descendant of the Vogüé family inherited the castle. His wife, Hélène de Bryas (born La Rochefoucauld) rediscovered the castle and the gardens threatening to fall into ruins, restored them to render the domain habitable. The family sojourned namely during World War II.

In the 1960s, the château was acquired by its present owner, Marie-Henriette de Montabert, daughter of Hélène de Brias, who opened it to the public and made it a stage of la Route Jacques-Cœur in 1965.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

mike Schenker (5 months ago)
The history of the castle is very interesting. The lords are extraordinarily kind. We were the first of the season and we were spoiled by a very warm welcome.

Marion Boldan (7 months ago)
The guide/owner! is very friendly and full of humor, we had a pleasant visit! The castle and its history are very interesting. Postcards of the castle available!

pierre “Pierre M” Moatti (2 years ago)
Visit the castle at the beginning of August 2023, a pure moment of happiness! The history of the castle is very interesting, crossing centuries and different architectural models. What a privilege to be guided by the son of the current owner! We clearly feel the passion for the history of this castle. Thank you Geoffroy! Not to be missed when you are in the region, Berry is rich in castles and just as much in history...

Nelly DI PIETRO (2 years ago)
We had the pleasure of visiting this castle in July 2023. Tours are every hour from 12 p.m. Nice site, very pleasant and accessible guide.

Rene Ramon (6 years ago)
We were there in 2006 with 13 friends from Dufftown visiting our French friends and wineries. All the men were in kits and the Baroness was very pleased with that!

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