one of France's most important chateaux - Rhône

one of France's most important chateaux

Some 20 miles North of Lyon, this chateau was built in the early 17th century in a style showing marked Italian influence, with magnificent reception rooms and exceptional original frescos recently uncovered. Set in 40 hectares of ground, 30 of them formal and informal gardens, the remaining 10 agricultural land, it is preceded by a harmonious annex building through which we enter the splendid courtyard and thus obtain our first dramatic glimpse of the chateau's high façade. Its other glories are numerous : geometric-design parquet floors, carved fireplaces, decorated ceilings - but above all a series of frescos, formaing a unique ensemble, painted by Pietro Ricchi in 162, shortly after the building's completion. The recent and exemplary renovation of the chateau has saved these remarkable works from their concealment by a later period behind plaster and wood-panelling, just has it has safeguarded and restored the other main original features. The ground floor and the first floor, now fully restored,were originally planned as reception rooms in the central part of the chateau, each of the two wings being reserved for the family's use. The second floor, still needing considerable renovation, contains a huge room intended by its original Protestant owner to be a chapel. for the family and for the surrounding population. Meanwhile the basement level has splendid vaulting throughout, and served as kitchen, pantry, wine-cellar and storage. The formal garden at the rear, with clipped box and yews, is charming, and the chateau's numerous high windows give a strong sense of proximity, creating almost the illusion that the grounds are an extension of the interior. There are also outbuildings, well concealed, serving as a sort of home farm, grouped around a courtyard complete with swimming pool. This is quite simply one of the finest châteaux in France with unique interiors, a work of art as much as a dwelling.