Madame de Sévigné, a 17th century aristocrat famous for recording daily life through copious letters, called the courtyard of the Chateau de Sully “the most beautiful in France”, and she wasn’t wrong. It is a huge space, perfect for partying aristos and surrounded by the walls of the fabulous castle. The gorgeous courtyard (photo page: 8-9) was designed by Gaspard de Saulx-Tavannes, a favourite of Queen Catherine de Medici.
The Chateau is perhaps not as well-known as it ought to be as it is in the middle of beautiful burgundy countryside, around 35km from Beaune, but it's well worth the effort to visit and explore the beautiful grounds and interior.
Built around 1567, this is no museum chateau, in fact it’s still lived in by Madame la Duchesse de Magenta, Marquise de Mac Mahon. It has a pinch of medieval, a dash of Renaissance and is elegant and pretty as a picture. Surrounded by a moat fed by the River Drée, you cross a five arch bridge to enter the castle passing by what look like giant, ancient stone chess pieces. In fact they are symbols of the pride of a previous owner who on being made a Marquis celebrated by ordering the great stone sculptures of artefacts that feature on a marquis' coronet.
The castle has been in the Mac Mahon family for several generations after Jean Mac Mahon, an Irish doctor married an heiress who inherited the castle. It was the home of Patrice de Mac Mahon, President of France from 1875-1879. The Duchess who hails from Scotland, married the Duke of Mac Mahon and it is she who lives there with her children and manages the vast estate ensuring the castle’s well-being. You’ll often spot her flitting about the castle and gardens followed by her excitable, friendly dogs.
Inside the rooms are furnished with family heirlooms.
Chateau de Sully, Saone-et-Loire