The castle of Sennecey-le-Grand is located in the eponymous town of Sennecey-le-Grand, in Saône-et-Loire, 10 km north of Tournus.
Located to the south of the town, the building was dismantled during the Revolution. Its remains are however protected as historical monuments.
The castle was built in the 10th century and underwent several alterations, going from a defensive and military fortress to a more residential residence. Belonging throughout this period (Middle Ages then Ancien Régime) to the same family, the Bauffremont-Sennecey, the castle was first composed of a rectangular building with round towers. Reinforced in the 15th century by large towers framing the entrance, the building was further transformed in the 16th century with the installation of high windows, the decoration of the facades and the reorganization of the main building.
Nowadays, the only evidence of the glorious hours of the castle (which was for a long time one of the most powerful in the region) are four corner pavilions, the bases of the walls, part of the moats, stone bridges and a part of the commons. In a wing of these dating from 1592, the town hall of the locality is now housed. Note the rich decoration surrounding the door (pilasters, entablature with rosettes). A door of the same type, decorated with medallions, gives access to the western wing.
The northern pavilions, built on bastions, one of which retains a cartouche with the Bauffremont arms, include angle chains and beautifully crafted window frames.
Property of the town, all of these testimonies of the castle of yesteryear can give rise to a pleasant walk in this town of character with rich cultural heritage and leisure activities. Information on +33 3 85 44 99 70.
