Marais Castle

Marais Castle, locally known as Château du Marais, lies near the village of Gimouille, in the Nièvre department in France.

Marais Castle was built in the late 14th century on the site of an earlier fortified house, which served as a watchtower. Its first known lord was Jehan de Boisgibault, who was knighted around 1400 and also fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

In 1423, after the last descendant of Jehan had died, the fief of Marais was seized by the Countess of Nevers and the castle was passed to the Le Tort family. They were a family of lawyers, familiar with the count. They kept it until 1605 when it was bought by Henry Bolacre. Later that century the seigniory went to the Conrade family until 1691 when it was returned to the Bolacre's as a wedding present. This time they held it until 1722 when it passed to the Dupin family. From then until 2000 it passed through the hands of several families until it was acquired by the present owners.

The small castle still presents mainly its appearance from the 14th and 16th centuries. It was damaged during a fire in 1888. The west side and the gallery were reconstructed in 1970 using elements from the former Éperon Castle.

At present Marais Castle is privately owned and a bed-and-breakfast location. It can of course be visited as a guest. A charming small rural castle.

Gallery