MEHUN-SUR-YEVRE DE BERRY
The Castle Mehun-sur-Yèvre is a medieval fortress
located in the municipality of Mehun-sur-Yèvre,
Department of Cher, Centre region, formerly in the
duchy of Berry. Now ruined, it is located on a rocky
knoll overlooking the confluence of the Yèvre and Annain.
located in the municipality of Mehun-sur-Yèvre,
Department of Cher, Centre region, formerly in the
duchy of Berry. Now ruined, it is located on a rocky
knoll overlooking the confluence of the Yèvre and Annain.
Period or style Gothic
Architect Guy de Dammartin
Start building 1367 14th century
Original owner Courtenay Family
Current owner Town
Current destination Museum
Protection Logo Historical monument Ranked (1840)
Contact 47° 08' 34" North 2° 13' 00" East 1
Country Flag of France
Provinces of France Berry
Region Center
Town Mehun-sur-Yèvre
Summary
The existence of a defensive castle Mehun-sur-Yèvre traced back to the 9th century, it belonged to the family of Courtenay 12th century, before moving to the home of Artois and finally returned to the royal family Valois. The castle had its heyday in the Middle Ages to the 14th century and 15th century but was quickly abandoned by the king after the reign of Charles VII. The 13th century marks the death knell with the dismantling of the converted quarry castle.
Transmission castle lord was not made by arms, but by marriage. These peaceful reversals allowed the enrichment and improvement of the castle through the centuries.
The existence of a defensive castle Mehun-sur-Yèvre traced back to the 9th century, it belonged to the family of Courtenay 12th century, before moving to the home of Artois and finally returned to the royal family Valois. The castle had its heyday in the Middle Ages to the 14th century and 15th century but was quickly abandoned by the king after the reign of Charles VII. The 13th century marks the death knell with the dismantling of the converted quarry castle.
Transmission castle lord was not made by arms, but by marriage. These peaceful reversals allowed the enrichment and improvement of the castle through the centuries.
Castle under the rule of the families of Courtenay and Artois
The 12th century, under the influence of the family of Courtenay ruling on Berry, Castle Mehun existing is rebuilt and turned into a fortress. Real fortress, the building serves as a defense for mehunoise population and the life of the medieval city is organized around the fortress.
After being under the rule of the noble family of Courtenay, the castle returned to the family of Artois to the banishment of Robert III of Artois. The stronghold of Mehun-Sur-Yèvre and the castle are within the royal domain to be given to John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. Castle will return again to the king by the marriage of the daughter of Jean de Luxembourg and son and heir of King John II, father of the future Jean de Berry. In 1360, Jean de France is awarded to preserve the stronghold of Mehun-sur-Yèvre.
The 12th century, under the influence of the family of Courtenay ruling on Berry, Castle Mehun existing is rebuilt and turned into a fortress. Real fortress, the building serves as a defense for mehunoise population and the life of the medieval city is organized around the fortress.
After being under the rule of the noble family of Courtenay, the castle returned to the family of Artois to the banishment of Robert III of Artois. The stronghold of Mehun-Sur-Yèvre and the castle are within the royal domain to be given to John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. Castle will return again to the king by the marriage of the daughter of Jean de Luxembourg and son and heir of King John II, father of the future Jean de Berry. In 1360, Jean de France is awarded to preserve the stronghold of Mehun-sur-Yèvre.
The transformations by the Duke of Berry
Jean de France, Duc de Berry (1340-1416) formed one of the first and of its most important programs in architectural Mehun-sur-Yèvre. He transformed a defensive fortress into a residence craft luxurious Gothic inspiration, with the most sumptuous decorations of his time.
The site was prodigious, he started from the back of the Prince of the English captivity in 1367 and extended until his death in 1416 but Jean de Berry can not see the end of the work.
Jean de France, Duc de Berry (1340-1416) formed one of the first and of its most important programs in architectural Mehun-sur-Yèvre. He transformed a defensive fortress into a residence craft luxurious Gothic inspiration, with the most sumptuous decorations of his time.
The site was prodigious, he started from the back of the Prince of the English captivity in 1367 and extended until his death in 1416 but Jean de Berry can not see the end of the work.
Mehun-sur-Yèvre after
Jean de Berry
The sumptuous and prestigious castle for his time has hosted many lords and historical figures. The most illustrious figures such as Jacques Heart or the Queen Marie of Anjou contributed to the richness of the courtyard.
During feudal wars between fiefs, lords fled to Mehun-sur-Yèvre as the Duke of Guyenne making an impregnable fortress castle and a place of high power within his pleasure palace for the Hundred Years War and it led some major military strategies.
In 1429, Joan of Arc spent some time with him. Within its walls, King Charles VII died, July 22, 1461.
Jean de Berry
The sumptuous and prestigious castle for his time has hosted many lords and historical figures. The most illustrious figures such as Jacques Heart or the Queen Marie of Anjou contributed to the richness of the courtyard.
During feudal wars between fiefs, lords fled to Mehun-sur-Yèvre as the Duke of Guyenne making an impregnable fortress castle and a place of high power within his pleasure palace for the Hundred Years War and it led some major military strategies.
In 1429, Joan of Arc spent some time with him. Within its walls, King Charles VII died, July 22, 1461.
In a period of declining glory
After the reign of Charles VII , the castle fell into oblivion in favor of the castles of the Loire. Despite its original architecture, the castle has marked a transitional period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
In the following centuries, the castle is not resistant to fire, destruction and looting. The 16th century, the first fire destroyed part of the castle. Then the wars of religion and the French Revolution eventually spell the end of the destruction of a large part of the castle, set in stone quarry for the construction of houses.
The castle then passed from owner to owner before being registered as historical monuments.
A renewed interest & protection
The castle is the subject of a classification as historical monuments by the list 1840. Currently it is owned by the municipality and turned into a museum dedicated to King Charles VII and his reign. The castle is also the subject of archaeological excavations for 20 years that led to the discovery of other parts of the castle hidden in the vegetation. The castle is also the site of a medieval festival held every summer in July.
Existence of defensive castles
Before John Berry began the restoration and transformation of the castle into a luxurious palace, remains of previous castles 14th century existed around the site. A number of these existing foundations were used to rebuild the castle. More than a dozen bases of defensive castles were the foundations of the castle. The architecture of thof wood, to more solid foundation stone. Each was intended to defend the city, especially during the war lords. The 9th century, the architectural appearance of the castle respected the typical plan castles. The four towers, the dungeon, post and main house of the Lord were preserved during the reconstruction of the building under Jean de Berry. Deep moat also kept gave the impression of an impregnable fortress and were a defense against the invaders more.
Before major alterations of the Duke of Berry, the castle was modified and modernized many times under the initiative of the Chatelaines places. From the 9th century, Beatrix Mehun transforms the castle of wood and stone to convert residence. Then under the leadership of Mahaut Mehun Courtenay and its downward Amicie Mehun Courtenay, it becomes a place of culture in the 13th century.
Before John Berry began the restoration and transformation of the castle into a luxurious palace, remains of previous castles 14th century existed around the site. A number of these existing foundations were used to rebuild the castle. More than a dozen bases of defensive castles were the foundations of the castle. The architecture of thof wood, to more solid foundation stone. Each was intended to defend the city, especially during the war lords. The 9th century, the architectural appearance of the castle respected the typical plan castles. The four towers, the dungeon, post and main house of the Lord were preserved during the reconstruction of the building under Jean de Berry. Deep moat also kept gave the impression of an impregnable fortress and were a defense against the invaders more.
Before major alterations of the Duke of Berry, the castle was modified and modernized many times under the initiative of the Chatelaines places. From the 9th century, Beatrix Mehun transforms the castle of wood and stone to convert residence. Then under the leadership of Mahaut Mehun Courtenay and its downward Amicie Mehun Courtenay, it becomes a place of culture in the 13th century.
The castle today
The remains are still visible today date mainly from the 14th century, during which it was remodeled from 1367 to 1390 for the Duke Jean de Berry by the architect Guy de Dammartin into a luxurious residence. The carved decoration is due to the workshops' s Beauneveu André and Jean de Cambrai.
Largely ruined from the 13th century , it was one of the most eccentric castles gothic. The castle ruins still show today this architectural eccentricity mixing elements castles and luxurious residence. On some sections of wall towers, remains of sculptures appear distinctly. The foundations of an ancient castle are visible on the ground, as well as the separation of parts of the castle drawn on the floor.
A church, now destroyed, was incorporated into the whole castle, particularly distinguishing other at the time. Only a wall and sculpture remains an opening show the presence of building.
The remains are still visible today date mainly from the 14th century, during which it was remodeled from 1367 to 1390 for the Duke Jean de Berry by the architect Guy de Dammartin into a luxurious residence. The carved decoration is due to the workshops' s Beauneveu André and Jean de Cambrai.
Largely ruined from the 13th century , it was one of the most eccentric castles gothic. The castle ruins still show today this architectural eccentricity mixing elements castles and luxurious residence. On some sections of wall towers, remains of sculptures appear distinctly. The foundations of an ancient castle are visible on the ground, as well as the separation of parts of the castle drawn on the floor.
A church, now destroyed, was incorporated into the whole castle, particularly distinguishing other at the time. Only a wall and sculpture remains an opening show the presence of building.