Barging in France — Burgundy — French Barge Cruises
Visit the Château de Bazoches
The Château de Bazoches at first glance would not necessarily get a military buff's pulse racing... but read on! This grand Burgundian château dates back to the 12th century, when it was first built on the site of an old Roman outpost looking over the Morvan hills.
Château de BazochesLargely preserved from the 17th century, its elegant interiors reflect the tastes of King Louis XIV's refined courtiers. However, its most famous owner was far from an aestheticist.
The Seat of Vauban
This owner was Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban who was a field marshal and military strategist of France in the late 17th century. Unparalleled during his time, and arguably in the entirety of French history, Vauban was an influential military engineer who had a talent for strategizing military fortification.
Vauban's contribution to the advancement of weaponry during the 17th-century was significant. He was a pioneer in the development of the mortar, the bayonet rifle, and the iron-barrelled cannon.
The gallery of the Château de Bazoches became the nerve center of Vauban's military plans. It was here that he planned his strategies and fortification designs, using intricate models featuring bastions, moats, and ravelins. Vauban knew the revolutionary changes to weaponry made the traditional, feudal fortifications of many French cities and castles vulnerable to attack. There are about 300 French cities that owe their design to Vauban, including Bayonne, Lille, and Dunkirk. His methods of siege craft and fortification were revered and emulated for almost 100 years.
In 1675, Vauban was awarded money by King Louis XIV after his success at the siege of Maastricht. This meant that he was able to buy Château de Bazoches from his cousin and its estates near his childhood home of St-Légèr-Vauban. Vauban renovated the château to his own tastes, and it became a military garrison.
When he wasn't plotting military strategies, Vauban liked to write his "Idlenesses"; books on subjects as diverse as agriculture, science, and currencies. It was at Bazoches that he penned his famous "Royal Tithe", a protest against the privileges of the upper classes and the unfairness of the taxation system. He published the book without royal permission, resulting in his subsequent fall from grace in the last few weeks of his remarkable life.
History of the Château de Bazoches
Formerly, the land that the Château de Bazoches was built on was a Roman military outpost that guarded the road between Autun and Sens, the Roman administrative center of the region. The entire Burgundy region was popular with the Romans for its fertile soils, which allowed them to cultivate vineyards and produce excellent wines.
In 1180, the original Château de Bazoches was erected by Jean de Saillenay and his original design is still recognizable today. The château has a slightly compressed square shape, which gives it a shorter back than front, and four towers stand at the corners of its tall walls. Overall, the façade of the château is something quite extraordinary – it's reminiscent of a castle from a fairy tale.
In 1190, the Third Crusade was announced at the nearby village of Vézelay, which is just over 10 kilometers from the Château de Bazoches. Attended by the English King, Richard the Lionheart, and the French King, Philip II, this Christian call to arms was a gathering of armies and the beginning of a third war in the Holy Land. Château de Bazoches played its part in the legendary stories about Richard the Lionheart, who stayed at the castle on his way to Vézelay in 1190.
In 1284, the Château de Bazoches assumed a new owner, Jean de Bazoches, who gave the castle its new name. After passing through several French families from the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries, the château eventually settled into the hands of the Perrière family. In 1570, the illegitimate daughter of the Count de Bazoches married Jacques Le Prestre de Vauban, who acquired the château.
After being retained in the Vauban family for one hundred years, Château de Bazoches was purchased by the military strategist, Marquis de Vauban, from his cousin. Moving into the property in 1675, Vauban set about improving the interior décor and planning the fortification of French towns from its grand rooms.
Still owned by Vauban's descendants today, the château has been lovingly preserved by his family and has retained much of its seventeenth century character.
Visit the Château de Bazoches
A tour to the Château de Bazoches will fascinate military enthusiasts. Walk through the grand gallery where Vauban made plans that were put into effect all over France. Also visit the library of this beautiful stately home, containing over 5,000 books.
Château de Bazoches - Bed ChamberFilled with sumptuous interiors, Château de Bazoches boasts elegant fabrics, expensive paintings, and extravagant chandeliers. Its décor is reflective of the times of King Louis XIV, who was known for living a luxurious life. Its grand chambers feature gilding, rock crystal and silks, as well as showing off beautiful furniture, rugs, and tapestries. Wander through many of his private rooms, including the bedroom, study, and armory to really get a feel for this incredible historical leader.
Château de Bazoches - Grand GalleryVisitors to the Château can see the gallery that was built by Vauban and he invited his engineers to work here. It was in this room that Vauban drew up plans to intensify the fortification of 300 French towns and cities. He was well-known for using intricate models to plan the fortification of the towns, drafting in the use of bastions, moats, and ravelins.
Château de BazochesWhile visiting, don't miss an opportunity to see the stunning landscaped grounds that surround the château and enjoy views of the surrounding French countryside.
An excursion to explore the château and its spectacular views is a fitting end, or beginning, to the Classic Cruise aboard French Hotel Barge L'Art de Vivre. Whether it is your first taste of Burgundy or a repeat visit to this beautiful region, we're sure that a trip to Bazoches will not disappoint.
Learn more about the Canal du Nivernais:
- The Canal du Nivernais: An Overview
- The Canal du Nivernais: Towns & Villages
- The Canal du Nivernais: Best Places to Visit
French Hotel Barges Cruising the Canal du Nivernais
L'ART DE VIVRE
Northern Burgundy: Canal du Nivernais
Up to 8 guests
Charters and Cabin cruises
Themed Cruises:
Bike, Family, Golf, Tennis, Walking, Wine