Château du Grand-Besse
The Château du Grand-Besse is a castle in the commune of Saint-Maur in the Cher département of France.
Architecture
The present castle consists of a very robust square keep, lit by mullioned windows. This keep from the early 15th century dates the construction, or reconstruction, of the castle.[1] Of the surrounding walls, the only remains are a round tower and stretch of wall and part of a moat still filled with water. Also from the same era are a round staircase tower with small square windows and, in the south east, a doorway opening into the courtyard whose lintel is decorated with an escutcheon.
The new residence dates from the 17th century and was enlarged in the 19th with the addition of a neo-gothic staircase tower.[1] The residential building is of rectangular plan, with a staircase tower in the centre. A small brick "pepperpot" (not accessible) is in one corner. The roof is crowned with metal spikes.
The farm buildings are decorated with alternate layers of brick and stone.[1]
Château du Grand-Besse is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.