French Castles: Chateau de Bonnu

France is filled with little archaeological jewels. Everywhere you go you will find castles from different ages, roman ruins and stunning churches. The Chateau de Bonnu is a small jewel in the middle of a typical village called Bonnu.

Although privately owned, the chateau de Bonnu is one of the main attractions in the little town of Bonnu. The other archeological attraction in Bonnu is the Church of Saint Luc founded in 1632 following an epidemic. Nowadays, every year on the Sunday following the 18^th of October there is a parents and children pilgrimage to the church to ask Saint Luc to protect the children and keep them from sickness and fear.

The first time I found the Chateau de Bonnu, back in 2005, it was by pure accident.  We were on a family outing looking for the Bonnu beach –on the Eguzon lake- when we passed by this French jewel. 

As we stopped the car to wander around, we were lucky enough to find the new proprietor of the castle, Mr Richard Laurent Chappaz.  Mr. Laurent was very friendly and welcoming, and despite my basic French at the time, he was patient enough to show us around the castle and explain to us that he had just bought (in 2003) the Bonnu castle and was planning to restore it.  He was absolutely passionate about his newly acquired castle.  Mr.  Laurent is a man who loves history and bringing a castle back to its former glory is a delight for him. 

Five years after our first encounter, Mr. Laurent continues his restoration work on the Bonnu castle.  The outside looks stunning with greenery and flowers embellishing the building and ducks and swans wandering around.  The interiors have also changed, although keeping the basic architectural shape; the castle has gained in comfort.  Underfloor heating has been installed and five bathrooms have been created with stone carved sinks and taps carved and sculpted by local artisan Didiet Fauguet.  Mr. Laurent has also become a member of the Bonnu community and actively participates in the social life of the village.  During the annual Witchcraft Festival he lets the villagers use his premises for different activities.  Usually he allows theatrical plays in his barns and musical bands on his grounds.  The fireworks at the end of the festivities are also set on his grounds and a mock witch is burned after a procession on one of the castle towers.  

Bonnu is located about 315 km South from Paris. 

If you are coming by train, Bonnu is18km from Argenton Sur Creuse where you can find the nearest train station with trains going to Paris and Limoges.

If you are coming by plane, the nearest airport is LimogesAirport, 80 km. down the A20. 

By road you will need to set your TOM TOM looking for Bonnu, 36290 Cuzion.  The village is so small that once there you will have no problem finding the Chateau.

It is believed that the Chateau de Bonnu was used as a signal tower between the Crozant, Chateaubrun and Eguzon Fortresses, when it was first built.  Unfortunately for historians, there is no evidence of who the first owners were back in the 14th Century when the castle was built.  It is known that during the 17^th Century the castle went under serious modification.  The stone bridge at the entrance dates from that period. 

During the 18^th and 19^th century, amazing as it might sound; the castle was abandoned and used as agricultural property. 

In 1906 the Bonnu castle was bought by Henry Sérullaz who started renovation work on the property.  The family heir, Maurice Sérullaz, curator at the Louvre museum, continued his father’s work of renovation on the castle. Finally after 6 years for sale, the Bonnu castle was bought by the current owner Richard Laurent Chappaz.

If you are planning to visit the property I must warn you that the Chateau the Bonnu is only available to be visited from the exterior.  For any interior visits you will need to contact the owner.   Otherwise the best time to visit is during the local annual festivities in October when the castle becomes a living building for the village’s Witchcraft Festival.