Château de la Vareinne

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

The small northern wing of the main dwelling constitutes the surviving part of a 14th century fortified house then held by the family of la Souche. It is enlarged in the 16th or 17th century by the construction of a central block and a small wing symmetrical to the first. At the same time two square pavilions are built at the end of the courtyard. The property is repurchased in 1700 by Nicolas Luilier, procureur du roi at Montluçon who has two wings of outbuildings erected in 1721, between the main dwelling and these pavilions. In 1801, the Deschamps de la Vareinne have the central block rebuilt, larger and higher. The lateral wings are raised shortly after, as are, in 1824, the courtyard pavilions and, in the middle of the century, the outbuilding wings by Alphonse-Charles d'Agoult. Finally, at the end of the 19th century, a covered courtyard is built on the western side. In 1891, Raymond d'Agoult bequeaths the property to the bishopric to install a school/orphanage there. The bequest is refused by the State, but the orphanage is created in 1896, operating until the 1920s. In the 1930s, the château is leased to the Scouts de France, and during the war houses a training school for scout leaders. In the 1950s, an agricultural school for the sons of sharecroppers and farmers is established there for a few years. Since the 1960s, the descendants of the family have undertaken the restoration of the buildings and the estate.

Description

The built ensemble of Bourbonnais style (masonry in sandstone, roofing in flat tiles) is located within wide water-filled moats and around a courtyard (to the east.). Main dwelling consisting of a central block and two short lower lateral wings; central block offering regular openings beneath a hipped roof; lateral wings with traces of blocked-up openings. Internally, simple furnishings and decoration of the 18th and 19th centuries. Along the courtyard, to the east in return, two wings of outbuildings, one of which shorter and the other bearing the date 1721. In a room of the northern wing of the outbuildings, painted insignia from the period of the scout leaders. At the end of the courtyard, two square pavilions symmetrical and identical surmounted by bell turrets with imperial-roofed coverings in slate. In the northern one, chapel with its interior fittings from the 19th century. On the western side in return from the main dwelling, covered courtyard on wooden posts, surmounted by a barn. Outside this built ensemble, part of the farm buildings formerly dependent on the château.