Pontus de Tyard Castle

The Pontus de Tyard castle is located in Bissy-sur-Fley in Saône-et-Loire. Bissy-sur-Fley is a small village with less than 100 inhabitants. The village is situated on a hill at the top of which dominates the 12th-14th century castle. The Pontus de Tyard castle has not been the subject of a detailed study, there are still many questions. We can however define three main periods:

- Medieval period: from origins until around 1500, this is the time when the Thiards arrived in Bissy.

- Early XVIth to early XVIIth century: Pontus de Tyard period.

- Middle of the 17th century to the present day: the Thiards abandon the castle of Bissy which is then converted into a farm. The castle does not undergo a radical transformation, it is preserved in its aspect of the Middle Ages (from where its interest). In 2001, the family who owned the castle sold the castle for 30 years to the association "renaissance du château de Pontus de Tyard".

The chateau is made up of two large complexes: the large agricultural buildings and the main building.

The Pontus de Tyard castle is a family castle still very medieval but with a welcoming aspect (sober and neat decorations). Today the castle lacks its furniture, its tapestries?

The Renaissance association of the Pontus de Tyard Castle restores, studies and animates the castle which gave birth to the philosopher and poet Pontus de Tyard, founder of the Pléiade with Ronsard and du Bellay.

It has two objectives:

- Restore the castle and its environment: the association has undertaken major restoration works: roofs and frameworks of the outbuildings, restoration of a ceiling of the house, restoration of a staircase tower, sanitary fittings. Since 2007, our association has also been working on the development of the garenne park, located behind the castle.

- Create an open meeting place while respecting the character and the atmosphere of the village and the castle: open the castle and its surroundings to the inhabitants of the village, visitors and members. Local associations can use the site for the purpose of organizing occasional events (hikes, rallies, exhibitions, concerts?).