Château de Naves

En un regard

Le château en bref

The Château de Naves is a medieval fortified castle located in the commune of Naves, in the Allier department. Built at the end of the 11th or the beginning of the 12th century by the de Naves family, outside the control of the Archbishop of Bourges, it became the property of the archbishopric in 1147 when Hugues de Naves ceded it to the Archbishop of Bourges, Pierre de La Châtre, following a conflict with Archambaud V of Bourbon. The archbishops of Bourges enlarged and strengthened it over the centuries; in the 13th century it had the appearance of a fortress with four circular towers, high crenellated curtain walls, moats and a drawbridge. At the end of the 15th century, Archbishop Jean Cœur, son of Jacques Cœur, treasurer (argentier) to King Charles VII, had major works carried out there; the family coat of arms can still be seen on the façade and on chimneypieces. Now privately owned, the castle retains imposing ruins, with the exception of one wing that has been restored, is habitable and has a rebuilt roof. The building has been listed as a historic monument (inscrit) since 12 January 1931; its remains can be seen from the road.