Description
LEGENDARY FORTRESS OF VEAUCE IN THE HEART OF THE ALLIER - MH - MORE THAN 1000 YEARS OF HISTORY(S) - ON A ROCKY SPUR - SPLENDID VIEW - 8.3 HA - MONUMENT IN DANGER Known for being the residence of Louis the Pious, emperor of the West in the 9th century. The site of the Château de Veauce exists since the Gallo-Roman period, springs still containing water dating from this period are also visible in a cellar of the castle. In the 9th century, the castle was the summer residence of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, emperor and king of the Franks. The fortress underwent numerous periods of construction and reconstruction: in the 11th, 13th and then at the end of the 15th century, beginning of the 16th century when the lordship of Veauce was raised to a barony. The castle then depended on Louis II of Bourbon, on the death of Constable Charles III of Bourbon (in 1527), the lordship returned to the bosom of the Crown. It was not until the 19th century that Veauce shone again with the arrival of Charles de Cadier de Veauce, an influential politician and friend of the Duke of Morny, who had the castle restored in a neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance style, he was also at the origin of the construction of the current stables as well as the development of a riding school in a semi-circular part of the fortress. It was also he who had the park laid out by the Count of Choulot. Of the medieval fortress, there remain the high keep, the towers and the curtain walls, a part of the covered patrol path, as well as the kitchens. Despite its appearance of a medieval fortress, the Baron of Veauce knew how to modernize the place in the taste of the 19th century. In the 20th century, under the leadership of the penultimate owner, the castle saw the birth of the legend of Lucie, a ghost seen many times, which would make the place and its owner at the time, Mr. Tagori "de la Tour" famous (It was Eugène de Cadier de Veauce who sold the castle to Mr. Tagori in 1972). The castle consists of four wings: An old wing on three levels and several basement levels. This building, dating from the medieval period of the castle, was largely remodeled in the 19th century but still includes elements from the 15th century, such as fireplaces and mullioned windows. The east wing is served by a circular staircase located in a tower outside the castle, next to which is the castle chapel (probably a simple oratory). On the ground floor and on the first floor, a large corridor leads to all the lounges. The noble floor is on the 1st floor. The second level, reserved for servants, has been partly redeveloped by the current owners. The basement contains the old kitchens of the medieval castle as well as a series of cellars. There is also a cistern (spring?) which dates back to the Gallo-Roman period. A 19th century wing is fitted out in a neo-Renaissance style. It has an identical layout to the old wing. It was in this part of the monument that the Duke of Morny was housed while he was building the Nades castle in Puy-de-Dôme. The other two wings, partly collapsed, are outbuildings, garages and stables built on old buildings. All four wings are surrounded by a curtain wall and fortification towers dating from between the 13th and 15th centuries. Battlements and the conversion of a tower into a clock tower were added in the 19th century. Around the fortress are various developments and buildings: To the east, a large terrace with a staircase was the main entrance to the castle, probably from the 18th century. An entrance with a lodge and a large gate was built in a troubadour style in the 19th century (another lodge, called the "Lions Lodge" is the entrance at the eastern end of the park). To the west, an old tower transformed into an icehouse, as well as a final entrance with a lodge and gate (called the "Little Lodge"). The 8.3 hectare park is made up of remarkable trees, the river "la Veauce" runs through the middle of the estate. Buildings, probably from the 19th century, have been left abandoned: a mill, a metal greenhouse, various buildings. It is currently under an official work injunction from the State to carry out emergency work that will allow time for the new owner to complete his work program. Location: - A grocery store in the village near the castle - All shops within a 10-minute drive - Vichy train station 40km away, then Paris 3 hours 20 minutes by train and Lyon 2 hours away Price: 800,000 euros including agency fees (agency fees payable by the seller) Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
