Royal bailiwick of Montferrand

Once the residence of the Duke of Berry, Montferrand’s royal bailiwick became a major judicial centre in the 15th century. Transformed over time, it went on to house the town hall, a Jesuit college, and later the church of Saint Peter.
Montferrand belonged to the Counts of Auvergne from its founding around 1120. In 1292, however, Count Louis de Beaujeu, facing financial ruin, sold the town to King Philip IV of France (Philip the Fair). In 1360 King John II of France (John the Good) granted Montferrand to his son Jean, Duke of Berry, who had this private residence built before his death in 1416.

In 1425 the king established a royal bailiwick in Montferrand—an administrative and judicial district of the crown. The bailiff managed the king’s property, collected fees and taxes, and administered justice on the sovereign’s behalf.

The bailiwick moved into the Duke of Berry’s former residence to accommodate the many men of law required by the new royal jurisdiction. The commercial role of the early town was soon complemented by significant judicial activity, which encouraged the construction of private residences for the wealthy bourgeoisie and the nobility of the robe.

In 1556 Catherine de’ Medici transferred the royal bailiwick from Montferrand to Clermont. The buildings then became a townhouse, with part of the property rented to private individuals.

In 1634 the new Jesuit college occupied the site until 1663, when it too moved to Clermont. The municipality regained ownership of the former bailiwick residence and rented part of it for housing, while the other part—the former college church—became a parish church dedicated to Saint Peter.