Château de Sarzay
Forty years of restoration by a single family
A 15th-century fortress, keep flanked by four round towers. Listed in 1910, declared a masterpiece in peril in 1970, rebuilt since 1982 by its owners.
A massive keep, four round towers at the corners, arrow slits, machicolations, covered wall-walks. The Barbançois family held it for nearly four centuries, from 1348 to 1719.
In 1970, it was declared a masterpiece in peril, which is not a compliment: it means it's about to fall down. The Hurbain family bought it in the early eighties and set about rebuilding it. They're still there. Forty years of private restoration, out of their own pocket.
George Sand transposed it as Blanchemont in Le Meunier d'Angibault. She describes 'four towers containing smaller rooms at the corners'. That's exactly it.
Open for self-guided visits every day, ten until midday and two until six. Eight euros, free for under-twelves. Allow an hour.