Château de Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne

Château de Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne stands in the commune of Saint-Benoist-sur-Vanne, France, and its fabric was created and modified during the Middle Ages and early modern period.

In the 11th century the village was granted to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire by the bishop of Troyes, and by 1075 the fief is recorded under the name Courmorin. Local lordship is first attested in the 1200s with a Hughes de Montreuil holding authority in the area.

From about the mid-14th century the Averly family held the estate, and the house that formed the core of the property was probably erected under their control. In 1542 Jeanne d’Averly married Antoine Guerry des Essarts, and Antoine undertook a major remaking of the principal residence during his ownership.

A legal and military turn occurred in 1555 when the property was seized for failure to perform fealty and homage; control was later restored to Louise des Essarts, who was married to Laurent de Saint Marcel, lord of Avançon. Violence struck again in 1594 when supporters of the Catholic League from Troyes set fire to the seigneurial house; a contemporary record describes the building as reduced to ruins after that event.

After 1638 the château regained its former standing following purchase by Louise de Cormont. In 1651 Henri de Longueau acquired the domain, which then passed through his family by marriages and successions. Ownership later transferred among several proprietors, ultimately coming to Nicolas-René Peschard d’Ambly, baron de Levoncourt. The last descendant-owner noted was Lucie d’Ambly, who married Charles Buxtorf before the Second World War. After Charles Buxtorf’s death Jean Bertrand bought the property and carried out a comprehensive restoration with the assistance of the national historical monuments authority. The building was officially registered as a monument historique in 1984, and it is presently occupied by Philippe Bertrand, who continues rehabilitation and decorative work.