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Montluçon, a medieval town in Bourbonnais, France
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  • Montluçon, a medieval town in Bourbonnais, France

    19/07/2011
     

    Montluçon is a town located in the french province of Bourbonnais, in the middle of France. The location was probably a roman outpost built on a rocky hill above the banks of the river Cher and protecting the roman road from Avaricum (Bourges) to Neriomagus (Néris-les-bains).

    In the middle ages, the town was strongly fortified with surrounding walls, 40 round towers and 4 gates. Around the 12th century, the fief of Montluçon was a vassal to the Duke of Guyenne (and King of England) though it was under controled of the Sire of St-Géran. The lands were located between the Marche (english side), Berry and Bourbon ( french side). In 1170, the english troops of Henry II Plantagenest seized the town (Sire of St-Géran lost his fief). In 1188, a french royal army under commanded of Guy de Dampierre, a knight from Champagne, captured the town and the Sire of St-Géran had the town back.

    Guy de Dampierre married Mahaut de Bourbon and became the Lord of Bourbon, a loyal follower of the french king Philippe II. In 1202, after John "Lackland" married the bride of the Count of the Marche, Philippe II seized a lot of english controled fiefs. Montluçon is given to Guy de Dampierre-Bourbon and became part of the Bourbonnais. Guy’s elder, Archambaud de Bourbon died at the battle of Taillebourg in 1242. In 1271, Agnes de Bourgogne, Lady of Bourbon married Robert de France, Louis IX’s son. The Duchy of Bourbon was created and a massive castle is built on the rocky hill.

    After the betrayal of Charles de Bourbon, Connestable of France in 1531 (he decided to follow the Emperor Charles Quint), King François I confiscated the duchy and attached it directly to the french crown. All the Bourbon castles were now useless.

    On this colored Google map, you can see, the rocky hill (castle location) in red, the town inside the walls in yellow, the (possible) ditches location in blue and the lands around in green.

    An information pannel in the town showing the main historical buildings.

    The castle of the Dukes of Bourbon on the rocky hill.

    The castle from the inner courtyard.

    One of the towers of the castle wall.

    Gate Tower of Les Forges ( smithy district )

    One of the few remaining towers of the surrounding wall. The street is named after Fouquet, Louis XIV’s minister who fell in disgrace in 1661. He was a possible candidate for the iron mask’s bearer. His wife and his children were exiled to Montluçon (how cruel was Louis XIV). Mme Fouquet asked the town to open an existing postern so she can go to the church service more easily (the closest gate was a bit far).

    Two of the four remaining towers of the surrounding wall that still exist in a public garden and are close to the one above .