ROUTE DES CHATEAUX BOURGOGNE
The Chateau Castles and Manors of Southern Burgundy
The
countryside of France is virtually littered with chateaux, houses,
manors and castles built
by the nobility
from the middle-ages through
the grand glory days of the Sun King, Louis XIII, up to the revolution
when nobility fell rather into disrepute. The valley of the Loire is
probably the most well-known region for its grand palaces, from Fountainbleu
to Chambord. The Loire was easy to reach from Paris by coach in days
of old for its mostly flat landscape, easy for road building. The lands
of Burgundy (Bourgogne) ruled for many centuries by dukes and barons
often at odds with the kings of France was a bit harder to reach when “horsepower” actually
referred to the four footed kind of locomotion. Nowadays, with the more
convenient way of getting around France for visitors coming through Paris
is by train, the chateaus which dot the wooded and grape-vined hills
of Southern Burgundy are perhaps easier to reach from Paris by France’s
high speed train the TGV.
The northern end of Bourgogne centered around Dijon known as the Cote d’Or (see Dijon) has its share of grand palaces (see Chateau de Bussy Rabutin), but the southern end of Burgundy, pinched in sloping wooded hillsides between the Loire River and along the Saone River known as the Saône-et-Loire, is residence to 16 chateau. Located in a triangle between the cities of Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saone, Macon and Le Creusot, all towns with stations where the TGV stops direct from Paris.
To
get to the châteax
from these rail convenient towns requires a car rental or many can
also be reached by bicycle (see Cycling
Burgundy) or public bus transportation. Macon has
the most castles closest to the city with Chalon-sur-Saône the
next most. Maps to the castles, manors and monasteries of the region
can easily
be had at local tourist offices or many hotels in the region will have
maps and brochures. The
historic chateaus sites range from medieval fortresses to grand manor
residences.
Berzé-le-Châtel
An imposing medieval castle over-looks the vineyards of the Lamartine
Valley near Macon. Built between the 13th and 15th Centuries, features
a Carolingian Chapel and still standing walls.
Pierreclos
Begun in the 11th Century and rebuilt through the 18th, this city within
itself on a panoramic view hillside features a Romanesque church, medieval
kitchens, gardens, a guard room and a wine museum. Owned by a wine-making
family, wine tasting is offered in the 12th Century era cellars. www.chateaudepierrclos.com
Dree
One of the later of the chateau dating from the 17th Century Dree features
a Loius XVI drawing room and state apartments, a collection of 18th
Century furniture and extensive formal gardens. www.chateau-de-dree.com
Brancion
An 11th Century castle of the dukes of Burgundy located in the heart
of the Romaesque church and vineyard country, Brancion is perhaps the
most important fortified site in Southern Burgundy (see Chateau
Brancion)
Digoine
An example of 18th Century classic revival with Italianate theater ansd
formal French Garden surrounded by English style parkland with decorative
ponds.
Saint Aubin
Closest to the Loire River an 18th Century chateau of golden shaded stone
after a design by architect Edem Verniquet. www.chateaudestaubin.com
Cormatin
Near the Abbey of Tournus (See Tournus)
this 1600’s grand estate
chateau features the richest Louis VIII apartments in France with gold
leafed paneling and tapestries on 25 acres with maze and moat. (See Chateau
de Cormatin)
La Ferte
Originally a monastery founded by St. Etienne in 1113, La Ferte was at
one time a most important Cistercian Abbeys (see Fonteney), but the
church is now gone and what remains is the magnificent palace built
in the 1700’s. It is possible to find accommation in the Abbey
Gatehouse hotel. www.abbayeferte.com
Germolles
Nearest Chalon-sur-Saone this castle was originally built in 1380 by
Phillip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy for his wife Margaret
of Flanders. The medieval defensive gate towers remain while the chateaux
residence shows the 14th Century design influence. Germolles is the
only country estate of the Dukes of Bourgogne that has been so well
preserved. chateaudegermolles.free.fr
Rully
A medieval fortress built into a turreted 12th Century keep with a Renaissannce
main house. This turreted chateau is still owned by the original family
situated in the midst of vineyards. www.chateauderully.fr
Pierre De Bresse
Home to the Ecomuseum at Bresse the Chateau of Perrre de Bresse offers
one of the most imposing formal approaches through its formal garden.
The Eco Museum presents the culture and countryside of the Bresse Burgundy
region.
Demigny
Near Beaune Chateau Demigny is an example of grand residence from the
Directoire period, the chateau features a museum of hunting in Burgundy,
a left over from its one-time residence of author the Marquis de Foudras.
Brandon
An example of Burgundian military architecture, Brandon was built over
a former Roman Gaul outpost, with upper and lower walled courtyards and
13th Century drawbridge tower. Still a family home, the main building
was turned into a 17th Century mansion with a great hall and a heraldry
display. www.chateau-de-brandon.com
Couches
An impressive keep fortress from the 1100’s with a prison, ramparts,
drawbridge and underground passages, reputed to the last secret hiding
place of France’s Queen Marguerite of Bourgogne.
Sully
A Renaissance era chateau surrounded by a moat with what had been called
the most beautiful courtyard in the kingdom with formal gardens and
parkland, owned by a wine vineyard growing family who date back to
one of France’s first presidents and the Burgundy dukes. www.chateaudesully.com
A Chateau Pass can be obtained from the tourism bureau of Southern Burgundy
for reduced admission to the participating Chateaux. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find the best hotel deals in Burgundy at TripAdvisor
Web Info
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See Also:
CHÂTEAU DE CHÂTEAUNEUF-EN-AUXOIS
LESLIE CARON'S HOTEL RESTAURANT BURGUNDY
