Donjon de Montessus, Keep tower in Changy (Saône-et-Loire)

The Donjon de Montessus is a castle on a hill above the Arconce valley in Changy, Saône-et-Loire. Its oldest parts date from the 12th century, with the present ensemble dated to the 14th and 15th centuries and altered in the 17th. A quadrangular keep flanked by four corner watchtowers rises beside an attached residential wing.

The site was first documented in writing in 1328 as an established fortress, though it may be older. The estate changed hands among several noble families over the centuries and was modified in the 17th century before gaining protected monument status in 2006.

The tower served as a residence for noble families who used it to display their power and authority over the surrounding lands. Such fortifications were essential to the social structure and defense systems of medieval communities in this region.

The owners do not offer visits, so the tower and its attached residential wing can only be seen from outside. The site stands on a hill above the Arconce valley in Changy, Saône-et-Loire. The site and surrounding plots have been classified as a monument historique since 4 September 2006.

The keep is flanked by four corner watchtowers (échauguettes), a detail visible on the tower's silhouette. The site and its surrounding plots were classified as monuments historiques by decree on 4 September 2006. An association, Les Amis du site de Montessus, was created to promote the site, support the traditional livestock farming practised there and protect its natural setting.