Château de Morteuil
A towered 18th-century château south of Beaune where Jacques Copeau's theatre troupe lived.
- Manor
- 17 min from Beaune
- Private, seen from outside
- 18th century, on an older castle
€290for a half-day wine tour from Beaune, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Commune
- Merceuil · Côte-d'Or
- Style
- 18th-century château with square towers
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 17 min by road (12 km), €75 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the château
The Château de Morteuil stands at the edge of the hamlet of Morteuil, in the commune of Merceuil, on the plain south-east of Meursault. Its main front is framed by square towers, and a pond lies to the south. In 1924 and 1925 it was home to the theatre director Jacques Copeau and his troupe.
History
The lordship of Morteuil is first recorded in 1481, when François de Ferrières gave his brother Jehan the fortified houses and lordships of several places, including Morteuil. The château itself is mentioned in 1618. It was largely rebuilt in the 18th century, and in 1766 it belonged to Henri de Riollet, who lived there. In 1794 its gunports were walled up during the Revolution.
On 13 September 1924 Jacques Copeau, founder of the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier in Paris, settled at Morteuil with his young troupe. The house was in poor repair and the ground turned to marsh after rain, but the rent was low. The actors rehearsed on a small stage in the main hall. They left at the end of 1925 for Pernand-Vergelesses.
Architecture
The château is long and rectangular, framing a courtyard with two outbuildings, with a pond further south. The north front has one upper floor, flanked by two square towers of two storeys, with a round-arched carriage door at its centre. A gunport beside the door recalls the building's defensive past. To the south, two wings end in square towers.
Visiting
Tips for your visit
The château is private and cannot be visited. You can see its towered front from the lane that leads to it from the road. Copeau's later home at Pernand-Vergelesses, where the troupe settled after Morteuil, is a natural next stop for theatre lovers.
Around here
What to combine with Château de Morteuil on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
Château de Morteuil is about 17 min from Beaune by road (12 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €75 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? Copeau's troupe, later known as les Copiaus, rehearsed on a small stage set up in the château's main hall during its stay in 1924 and 1925.
Sources
Château de Morteuil with a private driver
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests