Château de La Clayette

Castle in La Clayette, France

46°17′26″N 4°18′20″E / 46.2906°N 4.3056°E / 46.2906; 4.3056TypeMedieval castleSite informationOwnerPrivate propertySite historyBuilt14th - 19th centuryBuilt byPhilibert de Lespinasse

The Château de La Clayette is a 14th- and 19th-century castle in the French town of La Clayette, situated in south-western Burgundy, in the north of the historical province of Beaujolais. It is a listed historical monument.^[1]

Description

Originally, the castle was built as a fortress because of its strategic defensive location, surrounded by a water-filled moat.

It is private property and not open to the public.

History

1307: Earliest mention as a fortified house.
1380: During the Hundred Years' War, Philibert de Lespinasse turned the fortified house into a castle.
1420: The castle belonged to Louis de Chantemerle.
1524: Francis I of France spent a night in the castle on his way to Lyon.
1632: The castle belonged to Paul of the House of Damas, one of France's oldest noble families.
1703: By inheritance, the castle went to the Dyo family after the death of Jean-Léonard de Damas.
1722: Bernard de Noblet bought the castle, whose descendants are still owners.

It was expanded to its current size in the 19th century.