Château de Châteauneuf-sur-Cher

Châteauneuf-sur-Cher, France

Located in the Cher department, the Château de Châteauneuf-sur-Cher dates back to the 11th century, built to control the Cher Valley. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of powerful noble families, including the Culan lineage, the L'Aubespine family, and later, Colbert under Louis XIV.

In 1569, the castle was burned during the Wars of Religion but was rebuilt in the late Renaissance style. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it changed ownership multiple times, undergoing renovations, notably by the Maillé family.

By the 20th century, the château was abandoned, suffering from vandalism and neglect. Restoration efforts began in 2015. Listed as a historic monument since 1926, it features impressive medieval and Renaissance architecture, including a fortified entrance, grand courtyards, and Renaissance façades.

Address

Rue Saint-Fiacre 4, Châteauneuf-sur-Cher, France

See all sites in Châteauneuf-sur-Cher

Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

remi riffault (3 years ago)
Hello, pretty little town with its castle and its beautiful collegiate church, its gardens and the Cher river

Didier Desloges (6 years ago)
Impressive life from the banks of the Cher with its tumultuous waters.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.