The castle of Brancion is located in the town of Martailly-lès-Brancion, Saone-et-Loire, 33 km south of Chalon-sur-Saone.
Now in the state of remains, this castle was built from the twelfth century on a hill overlooking a pass that borrows the road from Cluny and heading towards the course of the Saone. Excavations have established that a Gallic fortress had already been erected on the site.
Detained by the lord of Brancion, who regularly battles with Cluny's clerics and clerics, the castle was sold as early as the 13th century to the Duke of Burgundy and became part of the Kingdom of France in 1477.
During the wars of religion, the estate welcomes religious Tournus who want to escape the Huguenots, and even becomes a bastion of the Catholic League whose prestige and power end up worrying the monarchy. In 1594, the royal troops take the castle and sack it after a long siege.
Several owners succeed then and in 1844, the castle of Brancion is dismantled.
It was not until the 1950s that the heirs of the last owner initiated a long but rigorous restoration campaign, still in progress. Protected as historical monuments, the castle has recovered part of its fortifications (it was primitively endowed with three enclosures marked with towers), its imposing square dungeon high of three floors and even its gardens.
An association is now in charge of works that are financed by visits and many events in summer, including a medieval festival on the 3rd weekend of July with shows, concerts and fun activities.
Open from April to mid-November. Free visits or with audio guide. Costume loan for parents and children who want to discover the site in a fun way. Price: 3 and 6 euros. Information on +33 3 85 32 19 70.
