General & History
A fabulous self-catering chateau, in the popular Ardeche region of France, available for hire between June and September. This is a house not for those looking for sleek luxury, but for those who love comfort with character. It is also for history-lovers, as all the wooden-shuttered windows overlook the ruins of a medieval castle.
The Chateau, and indeed the whole site, is protected by the state as a Historic Monument which you can enjoy combined with 21st century touches. The active can indulge in some great hiking around here, as well as horse riding, in countryside that's astonishing and very well protected. French cookery lessons are also available on request.
The chateau was originally built in the 11th century. In the 12th century it was bought by the powerful de Poitiers family and at that time consisted of only the chapel and the keep, which was then the manor house.
In 1384, Raoul de Lestranges bought back the fortress and the neighboring domains of Saint Andeol-de-Bourlenc, Vesseaux, Saint Julien-de-Serre, and Gourdon. The castle was strategically situated and controlled all the roads leading to Le Puy. Once he had inherited the fortune of his dead brother, Guillaume, Archbishop of Rouen, Raoul reinforced the fortress with 3 powerful round towers and strong outer walls.
Then came the Renaissance, a period of ostentation and display. In 1510 the chateau belonged to Louis de Lestranges, the 15th lord of the castle. His wife, Marie de Langeac, was apparently a well known courtesan at the court of Francois 1 (she may have been Francois 1's mistress or even that of his son, the Dauphin Francois!). She had the honour of having her portrait painted by Jean Clouet and being praised by Clement Marot in this poem:
To My Lady of Lestranges
To the beauty of l'Estranges
Angel face
I shall long be valorous
As long as her kind heart
be not fickle
The guards hall, the stables, the entrance terrace-bridge, the fortified entry gate with its magnificent portal adorned with Marie de Langeac's "angel" portrait were built around 1550.
Those sumptious years were followed by more difficult times, especially during the wars of religion. In 1620, while Privas was protestant and Aubenas changed hands regularly, the chateau remained the regions strategic Catholic fief. Claude de Hautefort de Lestranges, then lord of the castle, secretly married Paule de Chambaud. the daughter of the protetant leader of Privas! This created an uproar in Privas.
Nine years later Lestranges took part in the Siege of Privas alongside Richelieu and King Louis 13th. The seige led to the dismantlement of the fortress in Privas and the surrender of the protestant castles in the Vivarias. But, three years later, disappointed in Richelieu's policy, Claude de Lestranges joined the unsuccessful rebellion by the last Duke of Montmorency against Richelieu. He was taken prisoner and decapitated in 1632 and his lands were confiscated. Though his daughter was to recover them in 1638, the castle from then lost its power and influence.
In 1789, the 25th and last lord of the castle, Charles-Cesarde Fay escaped to Switzerland. The vassals invaded the castle and confiscated weights and measures used for calculating taxes. The castle was sold as national property.
In 1820, an inhabitant of the region bought it, tore it apart and sold its beautiful stones. In 1917, the ruins of the castle became part of French national heritage. Since 1970 the chateau has been restored by successive owners.