Château de Blaisy-Haut

Château de Blaisy-Haut stands above the village of Blaisy-Haut in France and was constructed during the medieval period by the region’s feudal lords.

The site is recorded in a charter issued by Count Gislebert in 942, and a primitive fortress on the same promontory is attributed to the 11th century. By the early 14th century the castle formed part of the feudal network of the duchy; in 1328 Alexandre, lord of Blaisy, held the place as a fief from the duke. In 1425 Jean de Blaisy inherited the estate after the death of his father Hughes.

Major rebuilding took place between 1470 and 1486 under Claude II de Blaisy. The castle remained in the Blaisy family until 1508, when it passed by marriage into the Rochechouard family. During the Wars of Religion the fortress changed hands several times: royal troops occupied it, it came under the control of the Duke of Nemours in 1592, and in 1593 it fell to Catholic League forces led by the Baron de Vitteaux. These events left the château partly destroyed.

In 1603 the property was awarded to Jean Jacquot, who served as receiver-general of finances in Burgundy. At the end of the 17th century the buildings were restored, and in 1695 the barony was raised to a marquisate for Antoine Joly de Blaisy, who served as president of the Grand Council. A severe fire on 16 March 1751 badly damaged the château; rebuilding work was begun in 1772. A description from 1794 records the site as an old citadel defended on three sides by rock and on the fourth by two broad ditches, with a central drawbridge between two large towers, crenellated enclosure walls, and a main dwelling measuring 95 feet by 26 feet with ground floor, first floor, cellars and attics. By 1869 the château was described as picturesque ruins.