Château de Sully

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.