The layout of the château has evolved over its many years of existence. Until the early 20th century, the building was much larger, and the main château (our house) was connected to two wings, housing the stables and a mill, forming a large ‘L’ shape. Following the sale of the estate in 1901, the two adjoining wings were separated from the main château and are today independent houses (belonging to our very nice neighbours).
The original entrance to the château courtyard was through an imposing gate, which connected the main part of the château to the wing. The gate still existed in 1902, as testified by the image below.
A later photo taken around 1910 shows that the entrance had been modified and the gate removed. According to our neighbours, the gate was modified to allow access for agricultural machinery. A new opening was added to the roof around this time, probably to allow grain to be stored in the vast attic.
Today, the gate has been replaced by a secure metal structure, which nevertheless seems rather inadequate compared to its original.
A larger gate at the back of the garden must have been the original entrance to the château, and, although no longer in use, it retains a certain grandeur, with a stone ball topping the pillars, typical of château gates in this region.
Le Vieux Château 