Château de Maulnes
| Château de Maulnes | |
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The pentagonal house (center) and semicircular commons (left) of the château as seen from the south-west (rear view)
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| Nearest city | Auxerre |
| Coordinates | 47°53′25.47″N 4°12′53.05″E / 47.8904083°N 4.2147361°ECoordinates: 47°53′25.47″N 4°12′53.05″E / 47.8904083°N 4.2147361°E |
| Built | 14th century |
| Built for | Antoine de Crussol and Louise de Clermont |
| Original use | Château |
| Restored | ongoing since 2001 |
| Current use | Tourist attraction and historical research |
| Architect | unknown |
| Architectural style(s) | Renaissance |
| Owner | General Council of the Yonne (since 1997) |
| Designated | 1942 |
 Location of Château de Maulnes in France
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The château de Maulnes, is a 16th-century, Renaissance-style château located in Cruzy-le-Châtel in the department of Yonne, France.
This château was built between 1566 and 1573 and has several unique design features. For example, it has a novel pentagonal-shaped house and is buttressed by five towers, and has a centrally located well surrounded by a spiral staircase.
During the 20th century, the château was in an advanced state of disrepair. In 1942, the château was classified as a historic monument and in 1997 it was purchased by the Conseil General of Yonne. It has since been the focus of historical and archaeological research and restoration. In 2005, the château was made open to the public.
The site on which the château stands is believed to have been occupied since the Neolithic era. The earliest reference to the area is found in a book written in the year 863 called "Molnitum".
A fortified structure, known as the "motte of Maulnes", was built in a clearing within the forest Maulnes, by the counts of Tonnerre in the 13th century. The time-frame has been confirmed by references made in historical writings as well as research using aerial photography. This structure is thought to have facilitated the counts in hunting activities, such as in the company of distinguished guests including the Duke of Burgundy Philip the Bold, who came to hunt in 1366 and 1374.
In 1411, a quarrel broke out between the Count of Tonnerre (Louis II of Chalon-Arlay) and the Duke of Burgundy (John the Fearless). As a consequence, the Burgundian troops invaded the county and destroyed this structure, as well as others.
A century and a half later, after the death of her first husband, the countess of Tonnerre, Louise de Clermont, married Antoine de Crussol, Duke of Uzes, Both were influential and well known figures, close to the court of France as well as the Queen herself, Catherine de Medici.
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Wikipedia