CastleSaint-Zacharie (83)

In the centre of the Sainte-Baume mountains, between forest, truffle patches and vineyards, a 19th-century chateau, with 5,000-m² grounds and centenary trees. The entrance gate to the property, which extends over nearly 5,000 m² of tree-filled grounds forming an enchanting setting and filled will history, opens onto two driveways. These lead to the edifice’s main entrance and two car parks, with a capacity of approximately 60 vehicles. Not far off, on the grounds, scattered with centenary trees, there is a summer kitchen, swimming pool and boules court.
The estate’s origins date back to the 19th century – more precisely 1867 – when Napoleon Bonaparte ordered its construction in the Sainte-Baume mountains, a site of Christian worship since the 11th century, for his second, very pious, wife, Marie-Louise of Austria, a member of the Hapsburg family and great niece of Marie-Antoinette.
With three storeys, the chateau is characterised by its square shape and three towers – two round and one quadrangular – which contribute, with their various ornamentation, to the building’s majestic and unique appearance.
The chateau’s façades are composed of plaster-coated beige and grey sandstone, which participates in the imposing aspect of the three tall towers decorated with Virgin Mary sculptures, while the chateau’s quoins and surrounds for its windows and doors are made out of ashlar stone. The towers have hipped or pointed slate roofs, partially renovated, while the main building has a gabled barrel tile roof. These are highlighted by a moulded cornice, sculpted in places, while, one level lower, a stringcourse separates the ground floor from the upper floor on the main façade, facing south. The round towers are also cadenced by two discreet stringcourses and a cornice.