Who built Cuffy Castle?

The fortress was built for the counts and later dukes of Nevers, who owned it from the 13th to the 17th century. It represents a military architecture type characteristic of the 12th and 13th centuries, based on a geometric fortification flanked by regularly spaced towers.

What does the motte castle mean on the site?

The motte, situated about 200 metres west of the castle, is a circular mound surrounded by a ditch. It testifies to an earlier fortified settlement, though its dating and duration of occupation remain unknown due to lack of precise historical sources.

Why was the castle abandoned?

Dismantled in 1617, the fortress was subsequently left to decay. At the end of the 19th century, the ruins were cleared of vegetation and partially restored.

Ensemble castral of Cuffy

Cuffy

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Cuffy

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Ensemble castral de Cuffy stands in Cuffy (Cher), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 13th century, 14th century, 15th century, 16th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

Situated on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Allier and Loire rivers, the castral ensemble at Cuffy documents the evolution of medieval military architecture. The site comprises the remains of a 13th-century fortress that once belonged to the counts and dukes of Nevers, along with a motte castle located some 200 metres to the west. The ruins preserve several flanking towers, including a square tower to the southwest and a polygonal tower to the north reinforced with buttresses, which enclosed a pentagonal fortification.

What to know

The fortress was probably built in the 13th century, then reinforced between 1371 and 1404, before being modernised until its dismantling in 1617.
The remains include the former motte castle, surrounded by its circular ditch, distinct from the fortress ruins built later.
Access and opening times are not specified: contact the town hall of Cuffy for information.
The visit takes place among ruins in a natural setting, near a cliff overlooking the rivers.

Where this château is

Cuffy · Cher · Centre-Val de Loire

Map of the area around Ensemble castral de Cuffy

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

18150 Cuffy

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA18000004
Period of construction: 13th century, 14th century, 15th century, 16th century

Frequently asked

Who built Cuffy Castle?: The fortress was built for the counts and later dukes of Nevers, who owned it from the 13th to the 17th century. It represents a military architecture type characteristic of the 12th and 13th centuries, based on a geometric fortification flanked by regularly spaced towers.
What does the motte castle mean on the site?: The motte, situated about 200 metres west of the castle, is a circular mound surrounded by a ditch. It testifies to an earlier fortified settlement, though its dating and duration of occupation remain unknown due to lack of precise historical sources.
Why was the castle abandoned?: Dismantled in 1617, the fortress was subsequently left to decay. At the end of the 19th century, the ruins were cleared of vegetation and partially restored.