Château de Couches, Saône-et-Loire
The 12th century Chateau de Couches was a former home of the fabulously wealthy Dukes of Burgundy. These days we can all take a guided tour and enjoy the wonderful views from its high walls. You can also rent a gorgeous apartment, take a guided wine tasting, book a wine course and join in the events. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy lunch at the Chateau, where the fresh, home-made menu and local wines combined with beautiful views are fantastic (Thursday-Sunday, 12h-14h – reserve online at their website below).
This ancient chateau is really quite extraordinary. Not just for its good looks and its ancient history but because in one of the rooms the original wall decoration dating to the 14th century is still intact and very beautiful.
It once belonged to the Dukes of Burgundy and was home to Philip le Bold and his wife Margaret of Flanders, the richest heiress in Europe in her day. Though they owned around 50 properties including 20 palaces, this is the best surviving property of the immensely wealthy Duke. He gave it to Margaret as a gift, at that time it was more of a fort. She had it renovated to look much prettier. She also kept animals in the fields, put swans in the moat and made perfume from the roses that grew there, much like Marie-Antoinette escaping the problems of daily life in her hamlet at Versailles.
On a guided tour of the house, owner Matthieu Pinette urges “don’t touch the walls” in one of the bedrooms and it’s easy to see why.
Chateau de Germolles, Saône-et-Loire