Castles / chateaux
13th century fortified castle,
redesigned in the 17th century
Location
In the heart of green Beaujolais, a middle mountain area, between the Beaujolais and Massif Central vineyards. The countryside, cloaked in fir trees, has numerous rivers running through it. Amazing views are everywhere, at the bottom of the valleys, in the meadows and villages and around every bend. A completely different world just 32 miles from Lyon.
17 miles from the A6 motorway.
Less than 60 minutes from the Lyon Saint Exupéry international airport.
32 miles from a TGV train station
90 minutes from Paris and Geneva.
2.5 miles from all amenities and schools.
Description
The property
It takes up an entire valley (47 acres) and has a pleasant view over the surrounding countryside. A forest of fir trees covers the hillsides. Grazing land fills the bottom of the valley. The castle is set like a jewel in its case on a terrace, with its outbuildings behind it.
It is laid out in the following manner: the entrance leads into a courtyard between the castle and its outbuildings. Two large terraces with their espaliers are on the other side of the castle, facing the valley.
In the Middle Ages, this fortified castle maintained law and order throughout the region. The austere medieval fortress, bare of comfort, underwent heavy works to turn it into a pleasant residence, as was the custom during the Renaissance era.
The castle
It stands like a sentinel on a terrace which dominates the valley. Several buildings are joined together, forming a courtyard, closed on three sides with an unobstructed view of the surroundings. The quadrilateral castle, flanked by three round towers and a square keep, was completely redesigned during the Renaissance era: large windows were added to the keep, and the walls were replaced by wings with large windows looking over the courtyard and the valley.
Numerous features were added over the years to decorate the building: turret topped with pointed roofs, bull’s eye windows, ornate roof dormers, balustrades, friezes and terraces.
The castle spans approx. 10,763 sq ft of living space. The ground floor comprises vast reception rooms: stone tiled floors, period or 19th century carved wooden monumental fireplaces, paintings and French ceilings.
Upstairs there are period Louis XIII suites, and more recent bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms.
The outbuildings
They are of all shapes and sizes: the lower level of a terrace opening on to another terrace, orangerie, garages. Large service quarters were built, set back, behind the castle: two stone buildings spanning a total floor surface area of approx. 10,763 sq ft, flanked by two massive towers.
Our opinion
This is a perfect example of how austere fortresses from the Middle Ages were transformed into pleasant residences during the Renaissance era. The Louis XIII style is illustrated in the straight lines, diamond-shaped mouldings, ova, foliated scrolls as well as numerous cornices. A sober but refined architecture, witness to the French nobility’s art of living prior to the French revolution
Price: Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 1972RG
| Land registry surface area | 20ha / 49.420 acres |
| Main building surface area | 1 000 m² / 10,760 sqft |
| Outbuilding surface area | 1 000 m² / 10,760 sqft |
Regional representative
Renaud Goalabré +33 (0)6 59 48 56 19
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
