Ratilly Castle

Ratilly Castle, locally known as Château de Ratilly, lies west of the village of Treigny, in the Yonne department in France.

An earlier castle at this site, a hillock overlooking the valley of the Vrille, was mentioned in 1160. It dated back to the 11th century but was razed during feudal wars.

The present Ratilly Castle was built around 1270 by Mathieu de Ratilly. It was built in the style of French military architecture of the 13th century, called "Philippian" after Philip II of France. It consists of a rectangular enclosure with round towers at its corners and a gate, protected by 2 more round towers, in the middle of the south face.

In the mid-14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle was a den of brigands.

During the French Wars of Religion, in the 2nd part of the 16th century, Ratilly Castle was a base for Huguenots in the Auxerre region. Later that century it was acquired by Mary du Puy, who resided there after having it restored. His descendants were visited here by Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier, in 1653.

During the 18th and 19th century it was sold several times. In 1950 it was sold to a French actor and ceramist and his wife. They restored the castle.

At present Ratilly can be visited for free during opening hours. It is now a little contemporary art center and a pottery and it hosts small cultural events. A very nice rural castle. Guédelon Castle is nearby.

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