The land upon which the Château de Charbonnières rests was owned by Jean Guarin in 1472.[1] The château was built on the foundations of a medieval building in the sixteenth century and was owned by Jehan d'Oynville, Seigneur (Lord) de Charbonnières, in 1557.[2] King Henry IV was a frequent visitor.[3] In 1600, it was owned by Antoine and César de Baux before passing into the Lesseville family.[4]
It was expanded in the eighteenth century and, in the nineteenth century, Comte Auguste de Chamoy (Count of Chamois), inspired by Troubadour architecture, gave it its neo-Gothic style. His widow, the former Charlotte-Amélie de Grosourdy de Saint-Pierre (1804–1866), died at the château in 1866.[5]
During World War II, the château was occupied by German forces.[3]
21st century
Beginning in 2007, the château underwent a four-year full restoration and renovation with attention to correct period design. The main building has 15 bedrooms, many with private salons. The château also has a variety of traditional public rooms, including a ballroom, library, and formal dining room. The top floor is an open area featuring a home theater and game room.[6] In total, it was 3,000 m2 (32,000 sq ft) and is situated on a 32 ha (79-acre) riverside property plot.[7]
In 2012, the château was listed for sale for $9 million but did not sell. In October 2017, the château was auctioned off, with no reserve, by Concierge Auctions. Expected to sell for 5 million euros,[3] it was sold to a foreign buyer for excess of 1.2 million euros.[8][9]
