--- title: "Château de Mont-Saint-Jean: History and Hilltop Village" description: "Hilltop stronghold besieged in 924, with a keep and four round towers. Castle closed, but its walled village rewards a stroll. Private driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-mont-saint-jean lang: en updated: 2026-09-29 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/chateaux/chateau-de-mont-saint-jean.png --- # Château de Mont-Saint-Jean > Château de Mont-Saint-Jean: a hilltop medieval stronghold with a keep and ramparts, above a village of old stone houses. Château de Mont-Saint-Jean is in Mont-Saint-Jean (Côte-d'Or), 50 min by road (58 km) from Beaune. Private, seen from outside · 12th to 15th centuries · Private driver from Beaune: €175 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Mont-Saint-Jean is a hilltop village of the southern Auxois, about an hour from Beaune. Its castle stands on a spur about a hundred metres above the Serein, with a keep, towers and ramparts that span the 12th to 15th centuries. The castle is a private home, but the village and its walls make a rewarding stop. ## Key facts - Type: Medieval fortress - Location: 45 km north-west of Beaune · Côte-d'Or - Coordinates: 47.2906, 4.3998 - 50 min from Beaune - Private, seen from outside - 12th to 15th centuries - Commune: Mont-Saint-Jean · Côte-d'Or - Style: Medieval fortress - Heritage: Listed historic monument - From Beaune: ≈ 50 min · 58 km - €175 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 50 min by road (58 km), €175 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History The spur was fortified very early, and in 924 Raoul, Duke of Burgundy and King of the Franks, besieged Mont-Saint-Jean. A family of lords took their name from the place. In 1180 Hugues, lord of Mont-Saint-Jean, is recorded in an agreement of mutual assistance, and in 1305 Étienne de Mont-Saint-Jean acknowledged that the castle must be opened to the duke on demand. In 1358 the castle was exchanged with Girard de Montbelet. In 1456 Duke Philip the Good grouped Mont-Saint-Jean with other lordships, including Charny and Montfort, into a county for his chamberlain Pierre de Bauffremont. The castle and its moats were classified as a historic monument in 1930, and its rampart walls and towers were listed in 1936. It remains in private hands. ## Architecture At the heart of the fortress stands a rectangular keep flanked by four round towers. Around it runs an enclosure with round and rectangular towers, linked by walls with firing positions. Inside are a chapel, a cistern and latrine towers. The Romanesque church and its cemetery lie within the outer walls. Built and altered between the 12th and 15th centuries, it is a well-preserved feudal stronghold. ## Visiting The castle is private and is not open for regular visits. The village is well worth a stroll: ramparts, a church of the 12th and 15th centuries, 15th and 16th-century houses, crosses and wash houses. Allow an hour on foot. It combines well with Thil and Saulieu. Check with the local tourist office for any opening dates. ## Did you know? In 924, Raoul, who was both Duke of Burgundy and King of the Franks, laid siege to Mont-Saint-Jean, which shows how early this hilltop was already a stronghold. ## Around Château de Mont-Saint-Jean What to combine with Château de Mont-Saint-Jean on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Château de Missery](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-missery) (3 km away): An 18th-century château set on a moated medieval platform, framed by its old round towers. - [Château de Chailly](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-chailly) (7 km away): A fortified manor turned Renaissance residence, now a four-star hotel with its own 18-hole golf course. - [Château d’Éguilly](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-d-eguilly) (8 km away): A moated Auxois stronghold of the late 12th century, rescued from ruin by private owners. ### Things to do - [François Pompon Museum (Musée François Pompon)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-francois-pompon), 13 km away: Sleek animal sculptures by the Saulieu-born artist who made the famous White Bear. - [Basilica of Saint-Andoche, Saulieu (Basilique Saint-Andoche)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/basilique-saint-andoche-saulieu), 13 km away: A Romanesque church on the old Paris to Lyon road, famous for its carved capitals. - [Museum of the Resistance in the Morvan (Musée de la Résistance en Morvan)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-de-la-resistance-en-morvan), 23 km away: The story of the Morvan maquis, told in the heart of the forests where they fought. ### Restaurants - [La Côte d’Or (Relais Bernard Loiseau)](https://www.cote-privee.com/restaurants/la-cote-d-or-saulieu), 13 km away · 2 MICHELIN stars: Bernard Loiseau's house in Saulieu: two stars and a century of Burgundian grand cuisine ## Questions about Château de Mont-Saint-Jean ### How far is Château de Mont-Saint-Jean from Beaune? Château de Mont-Saint-Jean is about 50 min from Beaune by road (58 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €175 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### Can you visit Château de Mont-Saint-Jean? Château de Mont-Saint-Jean is private and not open to visitors. You can see it from the road or the village, and your driver can stop there on the way. ### Can a private driver take us to Château de Mont-Saint-Jean? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=chateau:montsaintjean): €175 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - --- Canonical page: