The Chateau
History
Our story starts with Louise-Ida- de La Potherie, an exceptional woman that lived through France's most turbulent times. She was the last of her line, from a noble family steeped in history. Her father was a famous colonel that fought in the Spanish wars, and against the forces of revolution, her only brother was killed in a duel. Alone in this difficult period, she finally found the love of her life, Le comte de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers. They married and sought to make a refuge for themselves in the seat of her ancestral home. Together they set about to build a sanctuary, a testament of their love, and it is this monument that we know as the 'Chateau Challain'.
Details
Work began in 1847 when they commissioned Parisian architect Louis Visconti, famed for designing the Louvre extension, to replace the original 16th century castle. The Chateau was designed to commemorate the passing of time. Its 4 towers represent the seasons, 12 turns represent the lunar months, 26 spiral staircases represent the fortnights per year, 52 fireplaces represent the weeks of the year, and the 365 windows represent each passing day. It covers an area of 7,600 square meters (nearly 82,000 square feet).
Restoration
The Chateau became one of the grandest private French homes of the 19th century. It boasts a wealth of architectural detail, including intricate woodcarvings, Gothic paneling and sculptures, large working fireplaces, and hand painted ceilings. It is situated on a beautifully manicured estate, which occupies one corner of a quaint village. In 2002, the Nicholson family purchased Chateau Challain and began the painstaking process of restoring the castle to its original splendor. Together with an internation team of craftsmen, the Nicholsons continue to restore, preserve, and protect this valuable piece of French history.