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General & History
This delightful chateau is situated in the heart of Burgundy, between Vezelay and Avallon, in the nature park of Morvan. The castle dates back to the 15th century and surrounds the hills of Vézelay, inviting you to taste the castle life in its luxuriously renovated rooms, suites and apartments. The chateau is far from a traditional hotel - this will be your own private castle where you will experience the charm, the poetry, and the serenity of this magical place.
The chateau owner of the late XVth century sold some of the woodland to the inhabitants of Pontaubert and released them from their feudal obligations for 500 Pounds and an annual fee of 5 pennies per household. In 1510 the owner's grandson grandson, Philippe de Ferrieres, pledged the duty of his estate to Philippe de Chastellux (who was the overlord of the area).
In 1581, Etienne Fitzjean and his brother George, bought the chateau from the Ferrieres family. In 1599 they then pledged the duty of the estate to Olivier, Lord of Chastellux.
In 1617 Madeleine Fitzjean married Francois de Longueville, Lord of Domecy. This meant the joining of 2 wealthy families. Jacques, the eldest, inherited the family seat of Domecy whilst Philippe inherited the land and property of the local area with the Chateau des Chaumes.
The will of Philippe de Longueville left the property to his 3 nephews: Etienne, Francois and Pierre Thomas. Etienne bought the shares of his 2 brothers in 1695 to become Lord of the area. On his death in 1710 his brother Francois together with his nephew, the son of Pierre became the new owners. The property then passed to Nicolas Thomas, son of Francois. In 1759 his son, (also named Francois) took possession of the chateau. His daughter, Marie Pierrette Thomas inherited the chateau. In 1788 she married Jean de Contye, a Captain of the Dragoons, and was then married for a 2nd time to Aime Renier de Fargis.
Marie was widowed during the Terror and married yet again in 1798 to her estate manager - a farmer called Hilaire Dorneau. He inherited the chateau on her death at the beginning of the 19th Century. He oversaw the construction of the new wing that was connected to the end of the original chateau and now forms the East-West axis.