History

 

1150 – 1175  Foundation of a fortress called Châteauneuf

It was held by Jean de Chaudenay, the youngest son of the Lord of Chaudenay, who owned the place at that time. The seat of this seigniory was a few kilometres from Châteauneuf.

1181 – 1457  The Seigniory of Châteauneuf

Jean de Chaudenay took the name of Jean 1st of Châteauneuf. We don’t know what the fortress looked like back then.

1200 - Construction of the keep

During the 13th century, the Châteauneuf family gradually secured its position and organised its estate. The square tower, serving as a keep, still visible today, was added around 1200.

1281 - Construction of the chapel

The lords, including Jean III of Châteauneuf (1260-1294) and his wife Guillemette de Vilaines-Lès-Prévôtes, sought to develop the village, notably by building the castle chapel (1281) and the village church.

1455 - Gift of the castle to Philippe Pot

In 1455, Catherine de Châteauneuf was convicted of murdering her husband. Her property was confiscated by the king, then recovered by the Duke of Burgundy, Philip le Bon, who donated it to one of his close advisers, Philip Pot.

1457   Philippe Pot’s Estate

Philippe Pot became owner of the castle in 1456, on the will of the Duke of Burgundy, Philippe le Bon. His family ran the estate until 1533. He would bring many exceptional conversions that are still visible today.

The beginning of the great conversions

This owner was probably the one who had the most impact on the castle. He was one of the relatives of the godson of the Duke of Burgundy, Philippe le Bon, then at the height of his glory, at a time when artists and craftsmen were rushing to the court of the Grand Duke of the West, owner of Flanders.

An influx of wealth and honours brought about a profound conversion of the region and thus of the castle.

Who was Philippe Pot

Philippe Pot, the Duke’s seneschal, the equivalent of a great minister of today, was known for his qualities as a diplomat. On the death of Duke Charles Téméraire in 1475, he pledged his allegiance to the King of France Louis XI and became Governor of Burgundy. A powerful character who was also rich: recent archaeological studies show that he modernised the castle.

Creation of decors and fittings

On the other hand, he had the master tower restored and then built the two Logis: it is quite exceptional to be able to admire architectural details nearly 600 years old that are still standing.

He had everything lavishly decorated: chapel, dwelling, towers… He could now come and stay with his whole courtyard in the new apartments.

Creation of decors and fittings

On the other hand, he had the master tower restored and then built the two Logis: it is quite exceptional to be able to admire architectural details nearly 600 years old that are still standing.

He had everything lavishly decorated: chapel, dwelling, towers… He could now come and stay with his whole courtyard in the new apartments.

A pleasure castle

He had everything lavishly decorated: chapel, dwelling, towers… He could now come and stay with his whole courtyard in the new apartments.

Philippe Pot's tomb

He died in Dijon, at the height of his glory: he was then governor of Burgundy on behalf of King Louis XI of France. His tomb awaited in Cîteaux, one of the most prestigious abbeys in Burgundy. Preserved until the Revolution, the abbey now adorns the sculpture rooms of the Louvre Museum. The casting of this tomb is presented in the castle chapel.

He had no direct descendants. His inheritance was managed by his brothers and then passed to his nieces.

1533   The Montmorency Estate

Châteauneuf passed through marriage to the great Montmorency family.

The ceilings of the Grand Logis were redone.

1627   The Vienne Estate

In 1627, Charles de Vienne and Marguerite de Domprel bought Châteauneuf.

 

Transformation of the keep

The Vienne family owned Commarin Castle, located on the plain below Châteauneuf. Marguerite, coming from a rich family from Franche-Comté, brought a nice dowry which allowed this acquisition and the beginning of a reorganisation.

The square tower, or keep, was transformed into a ceremonial room, in the style of the 17th century.

New mural paintings

Their son Henri de Vienne married another rich heiress in 1655: Jeanne-Marguerite Bernard. The dowry of the latter allowed the Grand Logis to be brought up to date, with lavish mural paintings, some traces of which remain on the ground floor.

1766   The purchase of Montmartel by the Paris Family

This family of Parisian bankers owned estates all over France but went bankrupt before the Revolution.

1782   The purchase by the Marquis d’Antigny

The Marquis d’Antigny had Châteauneuf returned to local hands: his eponymous castle was located a dozen kilometres away as the crow flies.

1811 – 1936    The property of Vogüé

The castle passed through marriage to the great Vogüé family.

Who was Vogüé's family?

: It had branches all over France, the most famous of which was the owner of Vaux-le-Vicomte. The branch that owned Châteauneuf also owned Commarin castle. In 1854, the 15th century woodwork of the Châteauneuf chapel was dismantled and reinstalled in Commarin chapel.

The castle is classified as a Historic Monument

In 1894, the Count of Vogüé obtained classification of Châteauneuf as a Historic Monument.

In 1902, the office of the architect Charles Suisse took the first surveys and photos of the castle’s architecture. The buildings and decorations were restored for the first time.

1936   The castle became a public building

The Count Georges de Vogüé donated Châteauneuf to the State.

2008   The Burgundy-Franche-Comté Regional Council became the castle owner

Since 2008 the castle has belonged to the Regional Council who are continuing restoration work to make it the key showpiece in a regional heritage & culture project. Besides being a major tourist attraction, the castle is rooted in the collective memory of our region and is part of its very identity.

Tours, activities, summer events, exhibitions, archaeological research… an unmissable monument and fully alive!

Calendar

Activites for chidren and adults, summer shows, special tours, exibitions…

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Guided tour or self-guided tour

In family, with friends, in group and for school, many and exciting visits…

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Publications

Historical, archaeological and architectural research… Continue the discovery of the castle through these scientific publications.

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