Château de Bien-Assis

The first documented mention of the lordship of Bien-Assis dates back to 1460, with Robert, Lord of Bien-Assis, named as owner. Later, in 1481, Colas de Peret, a citizen of Montluçon, was known as the Lord of Bien-Assis. The castle, whose style is attributable to the second half of the 15th century, changed hands several times over the centuries, including the Chasauvert, Mercier, and Tardé families. In the 20th century, the castle was slated for demolition but was acquired and saved by the Amis de Montluçon in 1970. For its restoration work, the society received the Émile-Mâle Prize in 1993. The castle has been repeatedly listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments, most recently in 2015, after 16th-century wall paintings were discovered and restored.

The Château de Bien-Assis is located in Montluçon, in the Allier department, Auvergne region, France. It stands at an elevation of approx. 223 m above sea level.

Today, the Château de Bien-Assis is privately owned. Thanks to extensive restoration work, which included the roof, main rooms, and exterior walls, the building is well-preserved. Temporary exhibitions are held on the ground floor, while the first floor features a permanent exhibition on the history of Montluçon and its surroundings. The castle also houses a library with historical works and a lapidary exhibition in the vaulted cellar and chapel.

• Château des Étourneaux (castle), approx. 0.6 km away
• Château des ducs de Bourbon (castle), approx. 2.2 km away
• Donjon de la Toque (castle), approx. 8.2 km away
• Château de la Crête (castle), approx. 12.8 km away