Châteauneuf

The history of the village of Châteauneuf dates back to the Middle Ages, around 1130, when Jean de Chaudenay, the local lord, decided to build a castle for his youngest son Jehan, a few leagues away from his home. Jehan took possession of the 'new castle' (in distinction from the old Chaudenay castle) in 1175. In accordance with medieval custom, he adopted the name of his new land, 'Castro Novo', which became Châteauneuf. Overlooking the valley and the Burgundy canal, flanked by high towers, with its Gothic-style dwellings and wide moats crossed by a drawbridge, this masterpiece of military architecture controls the old road linking Dijon to Autun. Ten lords, spread over nine generations, succeeded one another for three centuries in this powerful fortress! Among them was Philippe Pot, who made numerous modifications to the building during the 15th century. Most of the buildings erected and then transformed from the 12th to the 18th century are open to visitors and Châteauneuf is today one of the most beautiful stops among the castles to discover in Auxois.
Perched on its rocky spur dominating the Sunshine highway just before it plunges into the Saône plain, Châteauneuf is without doubt one of the most picturesque places in Burgundy. In addition to its defensive character, the village was for a long time an economic crossroads where wood from the high plateaus, cereals and animal products from the Auxois and wines from the Beaune region were exchanged. This prosperous period can still be seen in the rich architectural heritage of Châteauneuf: the beautiful residences of the nobles or rich Burgundian merchants of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, with facades sometimes decorated with turrets and pierced with mullioned windows, stand side by side with the equally remarkable old shops. The names of the squares - Market Square, Ox Square, Pig Square, etc. - as well as the old market halls, are also evocative. Today, a few artists and craftsmen as well as several restaurants and places to stay are reviving this vocation around the tourist activity. Its proximity to the Burgundy canal makes Châteauneuf a charming stopover in the region.

Municipality of Châteauneuf
www.chateauneuf-cotedor.fr