Château de Sagonne was erected by Sancerre family, who had held the seigneurie from the 10th century. It was built during the 14th century to control the road between Bourges and Sancoins. The estate was bought by the Babou family in 1546; during the rest of the 16th century they made significant alterations. The castle was acquired by the noted Baroque architect, Jules Hardouin Mansart, in 1699 and he made important alterations in the early 18th century. The castle was broken up during the French Revolution and its contents and materials sold.
The enceinte originally comprised eight towers and two gateways. Wanting a more panoramic view, Mansart demolished the curtain walls on the east and created gardens. The west and north sides of the enceinte still exist. Also still visible are the pillars supporting the base of the bartizans (watch towers), parts of the portcullis in its housing and door panels from the 16th century. Under the Gothic arch vault can be seen the start of the staircase leading to the upper floors. Four towers remain.
The facade looking onto the courtyard dates from the 15th century and has moulded windows as well as the openings made in the 18th century at the end of the building. Most of the doors still have their original decorative moulding.
The castle is privately owned and is open to the public from June to September. Visitors may see frescoes from the 17th century, furnished rooms, weapons and portraits, and the Mansart Museum.
References:Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.
The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.
Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.