CastleAuxerre (89)

A listed Renaissance-style castle, surrounded by a water-filled moat, formal French garden and 6 hectares of grounds, 2 hours from Paris. Built at the end of a narrow valley, the castle has been protected as a historic monument since 1988, notably the facade and roofs of the main dwelling, the entire dovecote, the entrance gate, the balustrades and all the perimeter walls.
Initially a medieval manor house marked by history, having withstood a siege during the French Wars of Religion, the castle is an unfailing witness to the history of Calvinism and the Catholic League in the Yonne thanks to Marafin de Guerchy, lord of the manor between 1560 and 1572. Subsequently, it belonged to the family of Marie d'Avigneau for more than two centuries. In the 17th century, after the civil wars, some of the buildings were restored.
Further underlining the nobility of the place, illustrious historical figures such as François I, Admiral de Coligny and Louis XIV stayed here. Two entrances flanked by stone pillars provide access to the property, one from the village and the other from the hamlet. Both open onto a path bordered by a river which forms part of the estate. A bridge crosses the moat, which is home to different types of fish, including Chinese carp. The bridge features a more recent arch, built when the drawbridge was removed. A new wrought-iron gate has recently replaced the original one, which the current inhabitants have kept. It is crowned by an arched pediment and flanked by two stone pillars topped by flame-vase finials adorned with two pine cones. The date 1733 is engraved on the pediment, but the building retains traces of 15th, 16th and 17th century structures, which can be found, for instance, on the facades of the main dwelling.
Once inside the gates, the castle emerges, rising to two storeys under an attic topped by a hip roof clad with Burgundy tiles and featuring hip roof dormers. The symmetrical main facade is of rendered stone with small-paned windows, enhanced by dressed stone surrounds and corner quoins.
A gravel area provides space for parking vehicles. At the rear of the castle, there is a lodge facing the formal French garden with its central fountain, several original statues, stone basins and benches. Two heraldic lions - unique sculptures - appear to stand guard in front of another building that currently houses a garage and a workshop. Close by, there remains a stone well - similar to the one in the Musée de Cluny in Paris - adorned with a stone gargoyle.
An entryway defined by two pilasters leads to a walled orchard, where a double wooden door opens onto the footpath. There are two small bridges over a river feeding the moat. A tennis court and an old dovecote can be glimpsed from the formal French garden.