Castle of Digoine

The Pearl of Charolais

The castle of Digoine is a heritage jewel from the 18th century that still bears witness to a rich and long past. It formed part of the first out of four Baronnies from the Charolais and these lords had a leading role at the court of the Dukes of Burgundy.

The castle of Digoine in the middle age

The castle history goes back to 1390 when Robert of Damas marries Marie of Digoine, the ultimate representative of the family. Under the name ‘de Damas de Digoine’, they erected impressive towers on the northern façade, with two other towers connected by dry ditches which also frames the iron gate of honour and will end to integrate the castle in the medieval area.

Les deux tours évoquent l'histoire médiévale du Château de Digoine.

Engraving of the Northern facade

It is not until the end of the 18th century that the castle is transformed in lavish living quarters, dropping its defence function and adopting its definitive appearance. These transformations are made by the Reclesne family, who hope for a magnificent renewal. With that purpose, renovations start in 1723 and will be pursued for fifty years.

A shift in modern history

In 1750, halfway through the renovation process, the Reclesne family turns to the architect from Burgundy named Edmé Verniquet. He is known for the castles in St-Aubin-sur-Loire or Lugny-lès-Charolles in the region. First, he shapes the northern façade in a baroque-style, with mascarons which ornate the large central avant-corps. Then, he builds the magnificent southern façade in an easily recognizable pattern: on the centre of the façade, three French doors are framed by four other windows with a pediment on the top. This architectural body reflects the evolution of the French architecture during that period.

Verniquet a définitivement fait entrer le Château de Digoine dans l'histoire moderne.

Portrait of Edme Verniquet

La façade sud du Château de Digoine n'a pas évoluée depuis le XVIIIe siècle.

Southern facade

The aura of Napoleon I

At the beginning of the 19th century, the wedding of the Earl Aimé de Chabrillan, Great Chamberlain in France of Napoleon 1st, with the countess Zéphyrine Olympe de Choiseul Gouffier, seals the transmission of the Estate to the Chabrillan family. They evolve in an incredible splendour, as the new owners continue the works to embellish the castle that their ancestors had started. Undeniable marker of the economic, social and political supremacy of this family, Digoine is growing spectacularly between 1825 and 1842. Indeed, an exotic greenhouse including an underfloor heating system unusually modern, a library in burr elm and a private theatre will be added to an already significant legacy. In addition, fabulous scenery with one from the sculptor Clodion, are installed in the majestic rooms of the castle.

Personnage emblématique de l'histoire de Digoine, la comtesse fut à l'initiative des travaux de modernisation du XIXe siècle.

Countess of Moreton Chabrillan by Paulin Guérin

Le vestibule est une pièce du Château de Digoine crée par l'architecte Edmé Verniquet.

Stair of honor

Les Chabrillan ont transformé l'ancienne chapelle de Digoine en bibliothèque.

Library

Prise de vue depuis les anciennes écuries du Château de Digoine

Garden of rose, greenhouse and castle - Southern facade

An incredible sale

In 1908, the marquise de Croix bought the estate for her son Pierre, who then lived on the domain for three generations. However, in 2012, problems of joint ownership forced the family to sell the castle. Jean-Louis Rémilleux bought it back then and is still the current owner nowadays. In the first place, he bought the castle empty, then, tried to purchase the historical piece of furniture that used to compose the castle during a big auction sale in Paris. Furthermore, as an enthusiast of antiques, he added his own collection in the majestic rooms of the castle, while taking scrupulous care that all the elements were coherent with the period of the room in which they are. Finally, he undertook great works of renovations in order to bring back to this ‘Charolais pearl’ its original radiance.

Pièce traversante, le salon central abrite une ancienne maquette du Château de Digoine à l'histoire étonnante...

Central living room

 

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