Historical Buildings

An important symbol of France’s historic and artistic heritage, the complex of Les Invalides encompasses a military hospital, museums and monuments, and the church that houses Napoleon’s tomb.

Site History

The Hôtel National des Invalides, a vast complex of buildings in the heart of Paris, was created by Louis XIV to serve as the first veterans’ retirement home and hospital in Europe. Today, along with those functions, it contains museums and monuments related to the military history of France. The complex is also home to the Dôme des Invalides, the tallest church in Paris, which contains the tombs of some of France’s most celebrated war heroes, most notably Napoleon. 

Designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and famous for its gilded dome, the Dôme is an exemplar of French classical architecture. It has fulfilled a range of functions since it opened in 1706. During the reign of Louis XIV, it was the venue for the royal mass; it became the temple of Mars during the French Revolution and a refuge for Allied pilots in World War II. In 1840, Louis Philippe I had Napoleon Bonaparte’s remains transferred from Saint Helena to Les Invalides. A large area was excavated in the center of the Dôme, and Napoleon’s remains were placed there in 1861. 

About the Project

May 5, 2021, marks the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death. To celebrate the occasion, the Musée de l’Armée and the Fondation Napoléon have joined forces in an international appeal to help restore, at the Hôtel National des Invalides, the monuments associated with the Emperor and his brothers Joseph, King of Naples and later of Spain, and Jérôme, King of Westphalia and Governor of Les Invalides. The most prominent restoration work concerns Napoleon’s tomb, including its mosaic floor and marble bas-reliefs. 

The restoration and refurbishment of these monuments are part of a larger “Napoleon Season,” which includes a major exhibition, concerts, talks and many other events throughout 2021. All of these activities are open to the public and will be a major focus of the cultural life of Paris during the bicentenary. 

Les Invalides Today

The Hôtel National des Invalides retains its original function as a hospital and hospice for badly injured and disabled war veterans. In addition to the military hospital and the Dôme, it houses the Musée de l’Armée, the military museum of the Army of France; the Musée des plans-reliefs; the Musée d’histoire contemporaine; and the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération. The site receives more than 1.2 million visitors a year.

A prestigious girls’ school since the 19th century, the Maison d’Éducation is part of the cloister of the Saint-Denis Basilica, the earliest masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and former royal necropolis.

Site History

Located in the cloister of the historic Saint-Denis Basilica, the necropolis of the French kings and queens, the Maison d’education de la Légion d’honneur is part of a small network of schools created by Napoleon I in 1805 to educate girls whose father, grandfather or great-grandfather had received the Legion of Honor. The first of the schools, the Château d’Écouen, was founded in 1807. Two years later, anxious to fill an educational void for young girls of soldiers fallen in battle, and convinced of the preponderant role that women would have to play in society, Napoleon decreed the creation of a second house of education in the former Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis. 

While tradition attributes the founding of the Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis to Dagobert I, King of the Franks from 629 to 639, the church was likely built in the 5th century, atop the tomb of Saint Denis. King Dagobert had the saint’s relics interred in the abbey and was himself buried there. From then until the 19th century, the abbey served as the place of burial for 43 kings and 32 queens. In the 12th century, the basilica was rebuilt under Abbot Suger, an advisor to Kings Louis VI and VII, leading to the earliest expression of the new Gothic style in 1144. (Before the term “Gothic” came into common use, it was known as “the French style”) During the French Revolution, the tombs were desecrated, and the basilica was used for grain storage. 

In 1809, Napoleon I signed the decree for the installation of the Maison d’education de la Légion d’honneur in the abbey’s old monastic buildings. The school opened in 1811. Shortly thereafter, Napoleon commissioned the architect François Debret to restore the basilica. Debret was eventually replaced by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who completed the restoration. 

About the Project

The current restoration work concerns the repair of the roof of the 18th-century Intendant’s wing and the central pavilion, which are very damaged. This work is part of the ongoing restoration of the roofs of the convent buildings carried out over the past 15 years.

The Maison d’Éducation Today

The Legion of Honor’s House of Education continues to educate students at the high school and postbaccalaureate levels. Admission is reserved for the daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters of recipients of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Nestled in the hills of Burgundy, the stunning Château de Sully boasts four distinct façades and a Renaissance courtyard that has been called the most beautiful in France.

Site History

The Château de Sully is nestled in the rolling hills of the Burgundy countryside, half an hour west of Beaune, on the north side of the famous Côte de Beaune and its world-renowned vineyards. A moat surrounds the castle, which has four distinct façades. The courtier Roger de Bussy-Rabutin called its main courtyard the most beautiful Renaissance courtyard in France. 

The château as seen today was begun in the second half of the 16th century, following its acquisition by the Saulx-Tavannes family in 1515 (Gaspard de Saulx was an important figure at the court of Henry II of France). The Saulx-Tavannes family fortune lasted for two centuries. Likely due to the vast sums required to keep up with court life during King Louis XIV’s reign, the château was put up for sale for the second time in its history in 1715. One of the most famous subsequent owners, Maréchal Maurice de Mac Mahon, was born at the château in 1808. He became the hero of Emperor Napoleon III’s Crimean and Italian campaigns. In 1873 he was elected President of the French Republic, the only French President to have been born and raised in Burgundy.

About the Project

The restoration project concerns the theater, rare in private châteaux, located in the left wing of the commons after the stables. The theater suffers from humidity and disrepair. It reflects the Empire style of architecture, with elements characteristic of an Italian theater: a parterre, a balcony and a stage area. Intimate in size, it was what was known as a “society theater”: a place of leisure reserved for family and friends. The walls are painted to resemble green veined marble. The ceiling is decorated with foliage and musical instruments and the cornice with palmettes. The red velvet benches are still present, though very threadbare. There are still some beautiful, high-quality stage decorations, along with two Medici vases and antique wallpaper.

Château de Sully Today 

One of the most beautiful châteaux in Burgundy, the winery part of the estate was extensively developed by Philippe, 9th Marquis de Mac Mahon and 4th Duc de Magenta, with the acquisition of the nearby Abbaye de Morgeot. These premier cru vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet enable the family to maintain the château today. Visits to the château, which was classified as a historic monument in 1925, contribute greatly to its upkeep. Since the 4th Duke’s sudden death in 2002, the estate and winery have been run by his widow, the Duchesse de Magenta, who lives at the château year-round with their two children.

Built as a private townhouse between 1672 and 1674, the Château de Sambucy evolved to include impressive 18th-century frescoes and both French and English gardens, and it remains in the same family today.

Site History

Between 1672 and 1674, Jacques Duchesne, Advisor to the King and Master of Waters and Forests in the ancient province of Rouergue, had a private townhouse built, complete with a French garden. In 1720, it became, by marriage, the home of Marc-Antoine de Sambucy. Between 1730 and 1780, the side wings were built and the French garden extended. The impressive painted frescoes and decorations carved in stucco also date from this period. The period from 1830 to 1850 saw other major transformations, including the creation of an English garden with the introduction of Atlas cedars, as well as construction of the orangery and the last outbuildings. 

The château remains in the same family today. It was listed as a historic monument in 1992 and classified in 1995.

About the Project

The restoration work concerns the porch of the cour d’honneur (courtyard of honor) and stairway of the cour des chevaux (horse yard). Work on the porch consists of removing the steps and stone slabs to purge the backfill of dirt and replace it with an incompressible aggregate. Lime concrete will be used to create a new support for the steps and stone slabs. The stairwell of the cour d’honneur has significant cracks, caused by weakening of the foundations due to the vaulted sewer that runs beneath it. Reinforced concrete pylons will be used to reinforce and restore the foundations.

Château de Sambucy Today

The château has been in the same family since its construction, as the current owner is a direct descendant of the builder. It is essential that this family heritage be maintained and passed down. The château is now fully integrated into the town of Millau, of which it is the main heritage monument, and is central to promoting the heritage and cultural riches of southern Aveyron. Arts and cultural activities help to fund the preservation of this family treasure while transmitting the beauty of the château and its grounds to younger generations. 

The gardens are fully accessible to people with disabilities, and the interiors are partially so. Open to the public from April to October, the site takes part in the Rendez-vous aux Jardins in June and European Heritage Days in September.

Encompassing a watchtower and fortified house, the impressive remains of the Château de La Tourrette demonstrate the evolution of French defensive structures from the 14th to the 16th centuries. 

Site History

The impressive remains of the Château de La Tourrette date from the 14th century. The site includes an échauguette (watchtower), as well as a rectangular maison forte (fortified house) that incorporates architectural elements from the 15th and 16th centuries. It sits on a high terrace with thick retaining walls and ramparts, in which arrowslits are still visible. The château played an important role during the Wars of Religion, when it served as a prison for Protestants.

The La Rivoire de La Tourrette family sold the château in 1817, and it was used as a quarry. Members of the same family repurchased it in 1848. The remains of the château, including its watchtower, are listed as a historic monument, together with the maison forte, which was restored between 1997 and 2002.

About the Project

The restoration concerns the spiral staircase in the watchtower, which requires restoration in order to be used. The tower was consolidated and elevated close to its original height in 2012–2013. The top of the tower was dismantled in the 19th century, resulting in water infiltration, which led to deterioration of the walls and staircase. Recent consolidation work was not aesthetically appropriate; this will be removed to give the tower its original appearance once the staircase has been restored.

Château de La Tourrette Today

Restoration of the château will protect and preserve it and add to the scenic beauty of this rather remote region, which attracts tourists due to its natural beauty and the harmony of its historic sites. The fortified house is set along a hiking path and accessible to hikers. The château is temporarily closed until necessary restoration work has been completed.

One of the oldest “Folies de Montpellier,” the Château de Flaugergues has been in the same family for more than three centuries.

Site History

Built in 1696, the Château de Flaugergues is one of the oldest “Montpellier Follies,” summer residences of the city’s rich and famous. Its first owner, Etienne de Flaugergues, worked on the building for more than 45 years to achieve its final appearance. It is distinguished by its imposing interior and two avant-corps, which are evocative of 16th-century Tuscan villas. The interiors house archival documents, Flemish tapestries from the workshops of Philippe Wauters (active ca. 1670s), furniture in the Louis XVI style and a monumental staircase. 

Listed as a historic monument, the château also features a beautifully landscaped park and listed “Remarkable Gardens.” Since 1972, Henri and Brigitte de Colbert have overseen the revival of the estate, which has remained in the same family for over 300 years.

About the Project

The restoration concerns two statues made of limestone, installed in 1728, representing La paix and L’abondance, similar to those at Versailles. The theme is a classical one, Peace and Abundance being intimately linked. They were sculpted by Jean-Louis Guyon, one of the very few sculptors to sculpt the teeth of his figures, as is the case at Flaugergues. The statues are classified as historic monuments, and their presence is a contributing factor to the landmarked status of the site. They occupy a choice location, situated on either side of the terrace in front of the château. However, they are damaged and in need of restoration. The limestone is, in places, highly eroded or encrusted with microorganisms. There are cracks, cavities and some gaps, and cement filling from a previous restoration needs to be corrected. 

Château de Flaugergues Today

Open year-round, the Château de Flaugergues is an oasis of greenery within the city of Montpellier, 10 minutes from the center as well as the airport, the train station and the sea. The grounds include French-style gardens, an orangery, an English-style park, a “five senses” garden and a bamboo plantation. The 28 hectares of vineyards produce elegant wines that can be found both in the wine cellar and on the table at Folia, the on-site restaurant, led by Chef Damien Fourvel. 

An exceptional historic monument in the heart of Nuits Saint-Georges vineyards, the Château du Clos Vougeot is both a testament to the region’s winemaking heritage and one of the most prestigious tables d’hôte in France. 

Site History
The origins of the Château du Clos de Vougeot date back to the 12th century, when the monks of Cîteaux built the cellar and winery to support Burgundy’s growing viticultural tradition. The château itself, a Renaissance-style mansion with square towers, was constructed in 1551 by Dom Jean Loisier, the 48th Abbot of Cîteaux. In the late 19th century, Léonce Bocquet acquired the château and restored it in keeping with the architectural styles of the time.

During World War II, the château suffered significant damage. In 1944, it was entrusted to the young Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, which undertook its restoration, preserving its cultural and historical significance. Listed as a historic monument in 1949, the château has since become an iconic site for wine culture and hospitality.

About the Project
The first phase of restoration efforts focused on consolidating the château’s northeast tower, which overlooks the vineyard slopes toward Dijon. Built in 1551, the tower comprises three floors: a vaulted room on the ground floor, a chapel on the second floor and an attic chamber with an antechamber on the third.

The current phase centers on the château’s historic chapel, which features remarkable 19th-century wall paintings and architectural details. The project includes structural conservation, preservation of the unique wall paintings depicting the coats of arms of the daughters and the abbots of Cîteaux, and the restoration of the Renaissance-style floral keystone. A key objective is the reinstallation of the Saint Vincent stained-glass window, a significant artistic and religious element of the space.

Château du Clos Vougeot Today
Thanks to the prestige of the Chevaliers du Tastevin, the château has become a symbol of French hospitality, hosting renowned wine events and gatherings. It welcomes visitors from around the world eager to explore its rich history and viticultural legacy. La Table de Léonce, named for the man responsible for the château’s 19th-century restoration, offers a tasting lunch with paired wines. 

Since 2015, the Château du Clos de Vougeot has served as the headquarters of the Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that exemplifies the unique wine-growing practices of the region. The ongoing restoration efforts ensure that this remarkable monument will continue to celebrate Burgundy’s heritage for generations to come.

A masterpiece of the Belle Époque, the Petit Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle to celebrate the arts and the city of Paris.

Site History

Like the neighboring Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. A masterpiece of the Belle Époque, the trapezoidal building houses a collection of sculptures and murals dating from 1903–1925. Designed by renowned architect Charles Girault, it blends traditional and modern architecture, as evidenced in the natural flow of the space and the bold openings onto the Jardins des Champs-Elysées and the inner courtyard garden. Girault sought to create a building with the grandeur and dignity of an official palace, with the aim of celebrating the arts and glorifying the city of Paris. The Petit Palais features decorative murals, painted ceilings, mosaics and stained-glass windows. Magnificent frescoes by Paul Albert Baudouin (1844–1931) adorn the peristyle in the inner garden. The permanent collection includes paintings and sculptures acquired by the city of Paris since 1870, along with the Dutuit collection of premodern works.

About the Project

The restoration concerns the frescoes in the peristyle of the inner garden. Restoration work will be carried out in four phases, corresponding to four areas of the peristyle’s vault. For each of these phases, the restorers will carry out consolidation, cleaning and dust removal; filling of cracks; and color and pigment reintegration. The Petit Palais financed the first emergency phase and the preliminary study of the garden peristyle up to €200,000.

The Petit Palais Today

The Petit Palais offers free entry to the permanent collection. It also serves as a stunning venue for private events—including FHS’s 40th anniversary gala in 2022.

Abandoned shortly before the Second World War, the 18th-century Château de Vaux underwent numerous renovations prior to its acquisition by Edouard Guyot, who is restoring the interior to reflect its original state.

Site History

The Château de Vaux was built in 1721 for Jacques d’Aubeterre. The plans for the château were commissioned from Germain Boffrand, the celebrated architect behind the Châteaux de Lunéville and de Haroué and the Hôtels de Soubise, de Craon and Ferraris. Architect Philippe Delaforce took over in 1752 and modified the plans. The stone was transported on mules from the quarries of Tonnerre (Burgundy) and the slate by boat from Paris. However, the costly construction plunged the owner into financial ruin, and the work was interrupted shortly after his death for lack of funds.

The Montmort family bought the estate shortly before the Revolution and kept the château until 1855, when it was sold to Charlemagne-Emile de Maupas, Prefect of Police under Napoleon III. He remodeled Vaux without touching the exterior architecture. After his death, the castle passed to his daughter. The estate was abandoned shortly before World War II, and the buildings fell into ruin. Philippe Vallery-Radot purchased it in 1970 and renovated the outbuildings to house a center for girls with disabilities. A heritage enthusiast, he installed metal sheets to protect the main structure from water infiltration, as well as wooden supports to prevent collapse. In 2015, Edouard Guyot bought the estate, with the aim of renovating it and opening it to the public.

About the Project

The château has been in a perilous state since World War II. The interiors suffered from water infiltration for over 50 years. The roofs were restored in 1995, allowing for the current restoration of the rooms of the château. This project will restore the flooring on the second and third floors of the east wing and east pavilion. 

Château de Vaux Today

Since 2015, the château and 60 hectares of park were sold to Edouard Guyot, a 22-year-old entrepreneur whose family has a long history of buying and restoring historic châteaux to breathe new life into them through viable commercial projects. His first step was to make the outbuildings available for event rentals, the proceeds of which provided funding for the initial restoration work and allowed him to open the site to the public. He has also prioritized the preservation of the surrounding forests and the sustainable use of local resources.

The region’s only estate devoted exclusively to wine production prior to the French Revolution, Château de Rochefort has undergone few modifications since its construction in 1764 and is in urgent need of restoration.

Site History

The Château de Rochefort was built just after the Seven Years’ War by Charles de Goyon-Rochefort. He was drawn to the land for its rocky, south-facing slopes overlooking the Sèvre Nantaise river. Wishing to replicate the success of his Bordeaux ship-owner counterparts a few years earlier, he planted a vineyard and had wine presses and cellars built, as well as Louis XV–style offices from which to manage his land. The château, a magnificent Louis XV–style residence was built in 1764, likely based on designs by architect Jean-Baptiste Ceineray from Nantes. At that time, and until the French Revolution, Château de Rochefort was the only example of an exclusively wine-producing estate in the region. It is a remarkable ensemble that has been modified very little over the years, which explains its enormous need for restoration today.

About the Project

The project centers on urgent restoration of the roof of the château and outbuildings to protect from water infiltration. The frame, remarkable in itself, is rotting in places, and the lightning rods installed in the 19th century no longer hold, putting part of the roof in danger of collapse. In addition, a large part of the limestone façade has been infiltrated by water, causing it to crack, which poses threats to the building. Masonry work is needed to restore a fireplace and all the pillars that support the house, two of which have pronounced cracks.

Château de Rochefort Today

The château has been in the same family for over 250 years, passed down from generation to generation through women. Since 2018, it has been in the hands of Guillaume and Marine de Rosnay, who are working to breathe new life into the estate. The site is an integral part of local daily life thanks to the many events held there. It hosts guided tours and conferences in partnership with the Pays du vignoble nantais and the municipality, and it is open to the public in the summer.

A little-known château built in the classic French style, the Château de Purnon was neglected for over a century prior to its purchase by the current owners, who are committed to saving it from ruin.

Site History

The Château de Purnon and its outbuildings were constructed between 1772 and 1791 for Antoine-Charles Achard, Marquis de la Haye. The Marquis was only able to enjoy his newly built château for a brief time, as the French Revolution forced him to emigrate in 1791. Built in a classic French style, the château is little known, having always remained in private hands; only three families have owned it since its construction. It was acquired by the Marquis de Rochequairie in 1893. World War I marked the end of a flourishing period and saw the gradual deterioration of the main buildings of the estate. In May 2020, after more than a century of abandonment, the property was purchased by an Australian couple in love with France who are determined to save the château and live there.

About the Project

The restoration concerns the stonework of the façades; waterproofing; painted and sculpted decor, including sculpted busts; the slate roof and gutters; and the oak framework of the roof, which was constructed in the style of Philibert Delorme. The owners are prioritizing the quality of the restoration work to ensure that the Château de Purnon remains an impressive example of splendid 18th-century architecture.

Château de Purnon Today

The current owners, Felicity Selkirk and Tim Holding, are devoting themselves full-time to the restoration of the château.

An architectural ensemble classified as a historic monument and “Remarkable Garden,” the Château de Poncé features French and Italian gardens, a labyrinth and the striking Caroline Terrace.

Site History

The Château de Poncé is a stunning architectural ensemble classified as a historic monument and “Remarkable Garden.” The château was constructed starting in 1530. After four centuries in the same family, it was restored by new owners in the early 20th century. The château is particularly famous for its coffered staircase from 1542, its labyrinth and its gardens, including the Caroline Terrace, with its astonishingly original decor resembling that of an opera house or theater. A precursor of the troubadour Gothic style fashionable among the Romantics, the Caroline Terrace is connected with the work of Prosper Mérimée and more generally with the rediscovery of the Middle Ages, which had considerable repercussions in painting (Ingres, Delacroix), in literature (Ivanhoe, by Walter Scott, and Notre-Dame de Paris, by Victor Hugo) and in music. 

About the Project

The project will restore the Caroline Terrace, an architectural folly constructed in 1830 by Amédée de Nonant in honor of his wife. Built against a limestone cliff, the folly, made of brick and stone on three levels, measures 30 meters high by 80 meters across. Its beautiful ribs, balconies and battlements give it a monumental appearance. The central section collapsed in the 1980s, and its restoration is necessary to prevent the collapse of the entire edifice, which could endanger the château below it. The work involves securing the structure to the cliff against which it leans. The carved limestone decorations require extensive repairs, while important stones in the battlements and the rampart are threatening to collapse. Reconstructing the collapsed sections requires significant funds.

Château de Poncé Today

The Château de Poncé has been open to the public since its major restoration in the 20th century; today, it is an important stop on the route of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. In 2010, the new owners began another restoration campaign, with the aim of opening the site to contemporary art. The project includes the development of exhibition rooms in the 18th-century outbuildings, which host exhibitions in the summer. The village of Poncé-sur-le-Loir is also home to artisan workshops and the Centre d’art contemporain des Moulins de Paillard, which along with the château and its gardens draw artists and tourists to the area.

Passed down through the same family for more than six centuries, the Domaine de Chéronne features a late 15th-century gatehouse that stands as testimony to the estate’s role in the agriculture of the region.

Site History

The Domaine de Chéronne has never been sold; for the entirety of its history, it has been handed down through the same family. In the 14th century, a wooden seignorial building stood on the site. Today, no trace of that building remains. The estate’s oldest existing building is the gatehouse, which was constructed around 1490 by the prominent local dignitary Hervé de Chahanay and is listed as a historic monument. 

In the 18th–19th centuries, the ground floor of the gatehouse was occupied by the head farmer of the estate, and the rest of the building was used to store agricultural equipment and tools. The gatehouse is a testimonial to Chéronne’s role over the centuries as a functioning agricultural estate in the heart of a traditionally agricultural region.

About the Project

The project will restore the late 15th-century gatehouse back to its early Renaissance aspect, including complete restoration of the walls, floors, ceilings, ironwork, masonry and decorative elements, using traditional techniques in accordance with ancient knowledge.

Domaine de Chéronne Today

Today, the Domaine de Chéronne welcomes the public for weddings, seminars, wellness courses, concerts and cultural events, in addition to guided tours and gîte rentals. All income generated through events, as well as through agricultural and forestry activities, is used to preserve, restore and develop the heritage of the site. 

The National Archives heritage complex comprises former residences of the ancien régime, including the Hôtel de Rohan, which has been undergoing restoration since 2011.

Site History

The French National Archives has been located since 1808 at the Hôtel de Soubise, a former princely palace renowned for its rococo-style decor. The Hôtel de Soubise was the starting point for the institution’s expansion in the heart of the Marais to form the quadrilatère des Archives nationales. This unique heritage complex is made up primarily of residences from the ancien régime acquired gradually to meet the needs of the state: the Hôtel d’Assy, acquired in 1842; the Hôtel de Fontenay, in 1949; the Hôtel de Jaucourt, in 1962; and the Hôtel de Rohan, the former palace of the Cardinals of Rohan, built in the 18th century and assigned to the National Archives in 1928, after having been used for 120 years by the national printing office.

About the Project

Since 2011, the Ministry of Culture and the National Archives have been engaged in an ambitious project to rehabilitate the Hôtel de Rohan, ultimately allowing the return to the public of exceptional interior decorations from the Louis XV period. The building’s sumptuous salons, which have been closed for 20 years, will soon be fully restored in order to welcome the public. The FHS-funded restoration concerns the Cabinet des Singes, which features panels painted by Christophe Huet (1700–1759), who was famous for his monkey paintings, known as singeries.

The Archives Nationales Today

The French National Archives houses one of the world’s largest and oldest archival collections. It operates from two sites in the Paris area: the historic quadrilatère in the Marais and the newer site in the suburb of Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, which opened in 2013. The Musée des Archives nationales, located in the Hôtel de Soubise, displays a rotating selection of documents from the Archives.

An ancient stronghold dating back to the 13th century, the Château du Breuil Yvain occupied a key defensive position and was further fortified during the Hundred Years’ War.

Site History

This ancient fortified domain in the lower Berry region dates from the 13th century. Located at the border of the Duchy of Aquitaine, it held an important defensive position along the Creuse river. During the Hundred Years’ War, the King encouraged further fortifications. Constructed in 1450, the chatelet, or fortified gatehouse, dates from this period. A 15th-century postern was subsequently added. Much of the medieval château was destroyed by a fire in the early 18th century, after which a new, more comfortable wing was built in the style of the day, with a classical elegance and grand mansard-style roof.

The current owners are the 20th generation of the same family to own the château. They are overseeing its restoration in order to pass this legacy on to their children and grandchildren.

About the Project

The project concerns the chatelet, built in 1450. Structural problems threaten its strength and durability, necessitating complete restoration of the masonry and rotten or weakened parts of the wooden frame. A testimony to the château’s ancient history, the chatelet stands as an imposing medieval structure beside the more recent 18th-century main building and 15th-century postern.

Château du Breuil Yvain Today

The Château du Breuil Yvain was designated a historic monument in 2021. Its beautifully preserved rooms offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in history. The château was the backdrop for the 1972 movie Mauprat, and it has hosted performances of the Théâtre au Château association. It is expected to reopen in 2026, following completion of a major restoration.