Château de Gannat

The Château de Gannat is a castle in the town of Gannat in the Allier département of France.[1] The castle now houses a museum known as Musée Yves Machelon.

Main gate and NE tower

Description

With origins in the 12th century, the Château de Gannat is a typical 14th century defensive castle, built on a square plan flanked with four machicolated towers, linked by high crenellated walls. Originally, the castle was outside the town walls and surrounded by water; it is now a feature of the town centre. By the 16th century it was uninhabitable.[1] and much of it was dismantled in 1566.[2] On the east wall are traces of a fireplace and two vaulted bays.[1]

It was used as a prison from 1833 to the early 20th century.[1]

The property of the département, the Château de Gannat has been listed since 1926 by the French Ministry of Culture as a monument historique.[1]

Museum

The museum is housed in the former prison warders' apartments and the cells. Items on display include 14th to 18th century parchments from the town's archives, a 17th-century ivory crucifix and 12th century wrought iron. A prize exhibit is a Gospel book, whose binding is even older (10th century). Other exhibits include a typical Bourbonnais kitchen, clog makers workshop, leather and farming tools. A separate section on the French Resistance displays photographs, medals and news articles about the Resistance in the local area.[2]

See also

References
  1. Ministry of Culture database: Ancien château (in French)
  2. Green Guide: Auvergne and Rhône Valley, MICHELIN TYRE plc, 1995, p 142 ISBN 2-06-130401-X

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