Château d’Éguilly
A moated Auxois stronghold of the late 12th century, rescued from ruin by private owners.
- Medieval fortress
- 47 min from Beaune
- Private, seen from outside
- 12th to 17th centuries
€160one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Commune
- Éguilly · Côte-d'Or
- Style
- Medieval fortress with later residence
- Heritage
- Listed historic monument
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 47 min by road (52 km), €160 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the château
Éguilly lies in the Auxois near Pouilly-en-Auxois, about 45 minutes from Beaune. Its castle keeps five towers inside a moated enclosure, with a chapel and a finely carved well in the courtyard. Left abandoned in the 20th century, it has been restored by private owners over several decades. It is a private home.
History
The castle was probably begun at the end of the 12th century, and its two round towers may date from that time. The chapel and the main house were built in the second half of the 15th century. At the end of the 16th or early 17th century, perhaps after Françoise d'Éguilly married François de Choiseul in 1578, the house was largely remodelled and the covered well was added to the courtyard. Work recorded in 1692 mainly changed the interior decoration. At the end of the 18th century the castle passed to the Mac-Mahon family.
By the late 20th century the castle stood abandoned. In 1983 the art dealer Roger Aubry and his wife Françoise bought it and began a restoration that lasted about thirty years. In 1993 the castle, its outbuildings, moats, courtyard and well were classified as a historic monument, and the old garden was listed. Since 2015 Fabio and Françoise Magnani have continued the work.
Architecture
The castle forms a trapezoid enclosed by a moat, now dry. Two round towers on the south side date from the 12th century, while three square towers were added later. The L-shaped lodgings have two storeys and an attic. The 15th-century chapel has a crypt. In the courtyard, the well is framed by five curved columns carrying a small carved dome.
Visiting
Tips for your visit
Éguilly is a private home and is not open for regular visits. It is close to Châteauneuf, Commarin and Chailly, so it is easy to pass on a day in the southern Auxois. Check with the local tourist office for any opening dates.
Around here
What to combine with Château d’Éguilly on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
Château d’Éguilly is about 47 min from Beaune by road (52 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €160 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? The courtyard well at Éguilly is crowned by a small carved dome resting on five curved columns, a rare and elegant piece of carved stonework.
Sources
Château d’Éguilly with a private driver
€160 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests