Château de Boussac

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

In several works on local history, it is claimed that the origin of the castle of Boussac dates back to the 13th century. As evidence, mention is made of the existence of a drawbridge which would have preceded the present fixed bridge. The current structure of the castle and certain of its architectural elements (dormer with gable capped by three balls, arches of the cellar doors on courtyard) date to the very beginning of the 17th century, perhaps, at best, to the end of the 16th century. The large quadrilateral (65 X 55 metres) formed by four regular wings is not medieval, being too large and too regular. In fact, the presence of round towers, water-filled moats and stone cross-mullioned windows persists in the region until the 17th century. The porch tower which commands the fixed bridge contains no medieval elements allowing one to attest the former presence of drawbridge arms. It is therefore probably in the 17th century that the building was constructed, symbolically retaining medieval attributes valued by its owner (towers, gatehouse, moats) and allowing it to provide a semblance of defence against armed bands. The first known lord of the Boussac fief is Alexandre Rousseau, lieutenant-general of the bailiwick of Moulins, in 1653. In 1680, Nicolas de Lapelin, advocate of the king at the presidial court of Moulins, purchases the land of Boussac and has important works carried out in his new manor house. His son Jean and his grandson Henri retain his position. In the 18th century, Boussac is purchased by Pierre Ferron, viscount of La Ferronaye. The western dwelling house with its interior decoration (wainscotted rooms, fireplaces) date from this period, as does the laying out of the park (excavation of the square pond). In 1816, the daughter of Pierre Ferron marries Louis Girard de Champflour, mayor of Moulins from 1816 to 1838. In 1856, Boussac passes by marriage to Aymard Alfred de la Chaise, marquis de Longueil, great-grandfather of the present owner. The coat of arms of the Longueil family appears above the entrance door: azure three roses argent with a chief or charged with three roses gules. Between 1880 and 1900 an important restoration campaign takes place (refection of the façades and certain openings, fitting out of a chapel in the eastern wing, installation of balustrades on the fixed bridge, construction of outbuildings). On the entrance gate, one can read: Commanded by the marquis de Longueil, 1902. E. Jeambrun, locksmith Montmarault. In 2000, the mansard roof of the porch tower is replaced by a hip roof.

Description

Isolated in a bocage landscape where meadows alternate with groves of deciduous trees, the castle of Boussac forms a quadrilateral flanked by round towers and surrounded by water-filled moats. It is a fortified seigneurial residence presenting a classical plan; its silhouette with medieval character gave its possessors the statutory image which was still attached to large landed properties in the Bourbonnais of the 17th century, allowing at most protection against brigandage or surprise attack by an isolated band. The castle occupies a reserve surrounded by gates and walls which is entered by passing through a monumental entrance. Several small isolated outbuildings stand within this enclosure. To the north, close to the entrance, a poultry house and a laundry-bread oven, built in sandstone veined with yellow. To the south, a kennels, a small building with two bays opening onto a courtyard surrounded by wire mesh with ends curved inward. Just beside it, an orangery whose southern façade is pierced by two large arcades. A park develops towards the west, extending from the façade of the castle dwelling. A long lateral coved flight of steps allows access to a terrace which separates the castle from a large rectangular pond (square pond) with dressed stone edges. The latter is bordered on the castle side by topiaries clipped into pyramids and flattened balls and laterally by avenues of chestnut trees (one to the south, four to the north). The castle proper consists of four long wings deployed around a large enclosed courtyard. A square porch tower set within the wall dominates the eastern curtain wall and allows access today to the interior courtyard by a fixed bridge. This tower is covered with a hip roof of four slopes, which was profiled as a mansard until 2000. A first straight staircase with central newel serves a room which served as a linen room in the 19th century (former guardroom?). A tiny spiral staircase with square balusters then serves the second floor room (tiled floor), where was found the mechanism of the clock removed in 2000. The oldest core of the building occupies the north-west angle, whose outer façade retains a dormer with stone gable capped by three balls. The interior housed the castle room (kitchen). At the far end of the entrance vestibule paved in Volvic stone is found the main timber staircase, turning suspended on straight flights. Its railing with full returns is decorated with turned balusters. A new dwelling was rebuilt in the 18th century over the entire western front overlooking the park. This dwelling comprises a storey topped by a roof space pierced by dormers with arched-gable roofs which punctuate each bay. It houses in its northern half a suite of three communicating rooms linked by lateral double doors. The dining room is wainscotted (panelled doors and two-body cupboards). It possesses a semi-circular niche intended for a faience stove.