A forgotten castle in the rolling hills of Bordeaux which was built for the last king of France and untouched since the country’s revolution has gone on sale for €7,000,000.
The half-moon shaped ‘Château du Bouilh’, boasting 30 bedrooms and a courtroom privy to the secrets of Marie Antoinette, was built in 1786 for Jean-Frédéric de La Tour du Pin Gouvernet, lieutenant general of the armies of king Louis XVI, who wanted a castle grand enough to welcome his friend, the ruler of France.
Neoclassical in design, some of the inner plans for the build were never completed after Jean-Frédéric was appointed minister of war and five years later, in 1794, sent to the guillotine. Following his death, the stunning castle went forgotten by all except its admirers and those closest to the family.
A forgotten castle in the rolling hills of Bordeaux which was built for the last king of France and untouched since the country’s revolution has gone on sale for €7,000,000
The half-moon shaped ‘Château du Bouilh’, boasting 30 bedrooms and a courtroom privy to the secrets of Marie Antoinette, was built in 1786 for Jean-Frédéric de La Tour du Pin Gouvernet, lieutenant general of the armies of king Louis XVI, who wanted a castle grand enough to welcome his friend, the ruler of France
Neoclassical in design, some of the inner plans for the build were never completed after Jean-Frédéric was appointed minister of war and five years later, in 1794, sent to the guillotine. Following his death, the stunning castle went forgotten by all except its admirers and those closest to the family
Nonetheless, the Bouilh remains one of the jewels of 18th century architecture and, with roots going back to the Middle Ages, represents a unique piece of French history for one wealthy buyer.
‘The main logis has not been lived in for nearly a century,’ says Linda Matthew, the agent representing the home for Leggett who told Messynessychic that the castle isn’t just one building but rather a compound of structures and follies that span back hundreds and even thousands of years in some cases.
‘The main logis has not been lived in for nearly a century,’ says Linda Matthew, the agent representing the home for Leggett who told Messynessychic that the castle isn’t just one building but rather a compound of structures and follies that span back hundreds and even thousands of years in some cases
Nonetheless, the Bouilh remains one of the jewels of 18th century architecture and, with roots going back to the Middle Ages, represents a unique piece of French history for one wealthy buyer
The sweeping grounds offers 700,000 square-metres complete with numerous grand salons, a library, vaulted ceilings and vineyard; a neo-gothic chapel, water tower, and seven hectares of caves for storing hidden treasures
‘The chateau has been in two families since its construction by Jean-Frédéric de La Tour du Pin, [and] owned the estate from 1524,’ said Linda. ‘The reason for the sale,’ she says, ‘is that the current family cannot afford to run and maintain the château.’
The elegant crescent-shaped building that still stands today was built largely in the 18th century after Jean-Frédéric invited his friend King Louis XVI to visit him in the south of France.
‘But there’s no château to welcome me!’ he said of his friend’s then modest home. So Jean-Frédéric started working with the architect who designed the famous Grand Theater of Bordeaux and ordered a castle with two main building connected by a grand main gallery.
In 1864, the castle is passed on to the family Feuilhade de Chauvin, who still owns it
The sweeping grounds offers 700,000 square-metres complete with numerous grand salons, a library, vaulted ceilings and vineyard; a neo-gothic chapel, water tower, and seven hectares of caves for storing hidden treasures
Jean-Frédéric is but one of many figures linked to the stunning property, partially declared a historic monument by the French government. There are stories linking the castle to Versailles’ infamous mistress, Duchesse du Berry, who hid there for a time and even has a bedroom named after her
Unfortunately, during the trial of Marie-Antoinette, Jean-Frédéric was arrested as a suspect in assisting the monarch and, before the jury, insisted on calling her ‘Your Majesty’. The act of defiance cost him his head.
The sweeping grounds offers 700,000 square-metres complete with numerous grand salons, a library, vaulted ceilings and vineyard; a neo-gothic chapel, water tower, and seven hectares of caves for storing hidden treasures.
Jean-Frédéric is but one of many figures linked to the stunning property, partially declared a historic monument by the French government. There are stories linking the castle to Versailles’ infamous mistress, Duchesse du Berry, who hid there for a time and even has a bedroom named after her.
In 1864, the castle is passed on to the family Feuilhade de Chauvin, who still owns it today.