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Château Promenois
www.chateaupromenois.fr
HISTORY
At the time of Caesar, the Roman road from Autumnus (Autun) to Alesia led over the Promenois hill. In the Middle Ages, the remains of the tower and fortifications at this highest point in the area became a fortified site called "le Vieux Château". The Lord of Promenois ceded the southern part of his domain to the Bishop of Autun around 1291.
From around 1450, a rectangular defensive structure with round corner towers and a simple manor house, a fortified house, was built on the site of the current castle. This was captured in 1570 during the Battle of Arnay-le-Duc by Protestant troops led by Henry of Navarre, later King Henry IV. In 1608, the castle and the rights of ownership passed to Abel de Bourdieu, Equyer du Roy, who began the transformation into a late Renaissance castle complex with the entrance portal, the construction of the horse stables and the extension of the main building.
After passing in 1678 to Claude Dardault, Prieur de Bonvaux, in 1702 Claude August Espiard, among others Conseiller du Roy and member of the parliament of Metz, finally united various partial inheritances under his ownership. This branch of the Espiards later called themselves Espiard de Clamery after their ancestral domain and castle of Clamery. As chevaliers of lower nobility but with considerable influence and wealth, they subsequently cleverly connected themselves through marriage with the Viconte de Thy, Marquis d’Autume and other noble families of Burgundy and Switzerland (de Meillardoz, de Fribourg).
In the 18th century, various additional openings in the main building made the ground floor habitable in the Louis XVI style and gave the ensemble essentially its architecture, which has remained unchanged since then and is now protected.
Although one of the Espiards' sons was guillotined in the French Revolution, the castle and the associated farm ultimately remained in the family and the Espiards also provided the first elected mayor of the municipality of Jouey.
From 1875 onwards, the property passed through various heirs by being sold to Monsieur Saulgeot, chief physician of the famous Hospices de Beaune, who used Promenois as a summer residence and large estate. After a hundred years in this family, but now divided between many heirs, the Troadec couple, originally from Brittany, bought all the parts together in 1975 and, using considerable resources, subjected the entire complex to a thorough restoration under the supervision of the State Monument Preservation Office, as well as a modernization of the comfort (central heating, electrical and sanitary installations). Promenois has been a listed monument since then (ISMH).
The Troadec couple used Promenois as their main residence until 1987, when they sold it for private reasons to the Swiss couple Georg and Dorothea Fankhauser-Ritter from Basel. The new owners completed the restoration of the surrounding wall and the extension of the outbuildings and redesigned most of the bathrooms/showers and kitchens. The large pool complex and subsequent extensions, stables, sauna, etc. were built in place of the old tennis court.
Château Promenois is private and is not open for viewing throughout the year, but is shown to an interested public every year on the weekend of the Journées du Patrimoine, often in conjunction with a public concert.
In addition to use by the family (four generations!) and renting out the holiday apartments in the outbuildings to friends and acquaintances, Promenois regularly hosts music weeks, painting weeks, courses and retreats for dance, yoga, etc.
Especially during the music weeks, concerts for interested music lovers and neighbors are often held in Promenois. The cultural activities in Promenois often also radiate out into the region through public concerts in cooperation with local cultural initiatives, in churches and other nearby castles.
Our Hosts
For our family, friends, returning holiday guests, musicians and other artists as well as lovers of art, culture and nature in Burgundy, Promenois is a place of rest, relaxation, reflection, exchange and creative activity.
The listed ensemble of main and outbuildings is arranged around the wide castle courtyard and is located in the middle of a 2 hectare park. Historical architecture and diverse, wide views of the slightly hilly, unspoilt landscape radiate harmony and security.
We have been maintaining and revitalizing this special place for over 35 years, together with often returning people who, like us, experience Promenois as a place of power.
We look forward to hearing from you!