Château de Jenzat

En un regard

Le château en bref

The Château de Jenzat, in the Allier department, actually consists of two separate châteaux standing in the same park, the result of three successive building phases. A primitive 13th-century fortress, of which a round tower survives, was followed by a 14th–15th-century fortified house (maison forte) facing east. The lords of Jenzat sold their rights to Archambaud VIII of Bourbon in 1241; the fief then passed to the d'Aubigny family in the 15th century through marriage. In 1651 it was acquired by Gilbert de Champfeu, then in 1744 by Guillaume du Jouhannel. His son, Jean-Baptiste Julien du Jouhannel, had a classical château built between 1760 and 1780, facing south and set perpendicular to the older building, with a compact plan, side projections (avant-corps) and a mansard roof. The interior retains a staircase with wrought-iron balustrade, wood panelling and painted overdoors. A monumental gate gives access to the park and its French formal garden. The château, its gardens, the round tower, the small 15th-century château and the allée du Pré Piteau were classified (classés) as historic monuments by decree of 29 September 1995. Privately owned by descendants of the Roquefeuil Blanquefort family, it is not open to public visits.