Mont-Saint-Jean Castle

Mont-Saint-Jean Castle, locally known as Château de Mont-Saint-Jean, lies in the village of the same name in the Côte-d'Or department in France.

Mont-Saint-Jean Castle was first mentioned in 924 A.D. In that year it was taken by Raynard de Vergy, Viscount of Auxerre. Shortly afterwards it was taken over by Rudolph of France.

In 1076, the Lord of Mont-Saint-Jean was again a Raynard, probably also of the Vergy family. The Lords of Mont-Saint-Jean, who were powerful vassals of the Bishop of Autun, built the present castle during the 13th century.

In 1413 the seigneury of Mont-Saint-Jean passed to the House of Anglure through the marriage of Alix de Toucy, daughter of Guy de Mont-Saint-Jean, with Ogier d'Anglure. During the rest of the 15th century the castle was notably modified and also sold several times. It finally passed to the House of Chalon.

Philippe de Chabot, an Admiral of France, was donated the castle in 1534 by the widow of Jean de Chalon. By then the seigneury had become a baronetcy. Chabot's descendants held the barony until 1656, when it passed to the House of Lorraine, after a lawsuit. From then until the French Revolution, at the end of the 18th century, Mont-Saint-Jean passed through the hands of several noble families. By then Mont-Saint-Jean had become part of the County of Charny, which was dismembered during the revolution. The castle seems to have survived unscathed.

At present Mont-Saint-Jean Castle seems to be a private residence and thus can not be visited. Its exterior can easily be viewed. A beautiful, little but strong looking castle.

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