Château d'Ingrandes
 
11th C - construction of the feudal castle 14th – 15th C - rebuilding of the castle 15th C - construction of the frame of the tower with hourd (1465) 17th C - the towers of the donjon and the turrets are truncated (1626) 17th C - Marie-Henriette d' Aloigny lives in the Castle; she builds the living quarters and the village church (1698) 18th C - Head farmer Claude DUPIN becomes owner of the totality of the Marquisat of Blanc castles (1739) 20th C - the castle becomes the property of the COMBESCURE family in 1923, which they use as a farm until the 1970’s 20th C - Alain and Jacqueline DROUART acquire the ruins of the feudal castle of Ingrandes (1982) 20th C - the castle is officially registered as a Historic Monument (1987)
Important Dates...
Enjoy A Historical Summary... Defended by the hilly valley of Anglin in the South, and by deep ditches in the North, this feudal castle was built in the 11th century. It was built on the site of a Roman military camp that was in command of the Roman route from Bourges to Poitiers; traces of which can be found on the TABLE of PEUTINGER (Fine).
Du Guesclin, traveling to Sainte-Sévère in Poitiers, following the river Anglin, reclaimed the fortresses along the river’s border from invaders. The country was English at that time, forming part of the fief of Aliénor of Aquitaine.
 
The castle was then rebuilt in the 14th –15th centuries. The ruins of which remain today. The frame of the tower with the hourd goes back to 1465. Henry IV, at the time of his wars against the League, conquered the castle and gave it to Lord of Le Blanc, Antoine d' Aloigny, in thanks for his assistance.
 
The turrets of the donjon and the towers of the main area were truncated following the royal decrees of 1626 ordering the destruction of military fortresses in the kingdom.
Marie-Henriette d' Aloigny, quoted by Saint-Simon as being fascinating, was exiled from the court of Versailles, and lived in the Castle of Ingrandes where she built the 17th century living quarters and the village church (1698).
Following her financial collapse, the castle was put on sale in 1734. Head farmer Claude DUPIN, ancestor of George Sand (born Aurore DUPIN), became, in 1739, owner of the series of castles Marquisat of Blanc (Roches, Forges, Ingrandes, etc). The circumstances of the destruction of the main building are badly known: they could go as far back the end of the 18th century.
 
The castle of Ingrandes remained the property of the descendants of DUPIN, the Baron of VILLENEUVE until the beginning of this century. In 1923, it then became the property of the COMBESCURE family who used it as a farm until the 1970’s.
 
Alain and Jacqueline DROUART acquired the ruins of the feudal castle of Ingrandes in 1982.
A request for historical protection was made. The castle was officially registered in the inventory of Historic Monuments on October 1, 1987.
At present, the living quarters from the 15th century are completely restored, the donjon is renovated and restoration continues.
 
The castle is opened to the public, welcoming many visitors during various exhibitions and events.
 
A Bed & Breakfast is open to accommodate you during your stay in our area.
 
 
Jacqueline Drouart
Le Château, 36300 INGRANDES
Tel 33 (0) 2 54 37 46 01 Fax 33 (0) 2 54 28 64 55
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