The old castle of Yrouerre is located in the eponymous town of Yrouerre, in the department of Yonne, 30 km east of Auxerre.
It was originally a fortress, seat of a seigniory conquered by the lords of Parthenay, under the Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold (15th century). The building was burnt down and then rebuilt.
In the 18th century, a new castle was built from 1730 to 1767 in place of the fortified manor. It was even embellished in 1780 by its owner, Thomas Urbain de Maussion.
After the Revolution, the estate was sold and soon divided into several lots.
The general condition deteriorated and in 1967, the parts that were ruined or presented a danger were demolished.
What remains was acquired by the municipality in 1991. The main testimony of the castle of yesteryear is the orangery, one of the elements of the outbuildings. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was then located behind the house, and was intended to shelter orange trees during the winter, and various fruit trees and shrubs which, during the summer, were distributed in the gardens.
39 m long and 8 wide, the rectangular building is wide open to the south (to take advantage of the sunshine) but its blind facade is made up of 11 arcades. On the central arcade, is represented a basket of roses, and on both sides is visible a rock decoration made of volutes.
Between these arcades, pilasters punctuate the composition. A railing above the cornice hides the roof but there is no terrace. There are also pediments evoking Antiquity.
Today, only part of the orangery remains, which houses the premises of the town hall.
The complex is open to the public from time to time, this astonishing but noble building in a village of 150 inhabitants can be admired from the outside.
Information on +33 3 86 75 93 96.
