A medieval fortress above its own vineyard, still lived in by descendants of its first lords.
€290for a half-day wine tour from Beaune, up to 4 guests
Private driver from Beaune: 27 min by road (24 km), €100 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
The château of Rully sits on a hillside above its vines, looking east over the Saône plain. Its square keep goes back to the late 12th century, and towers, battlements and a wall-walk still ring the inner courtyard. The owners, descendants of the medieval lords of Rully, show visitors around themselves.
The château is first recorded in 1194, when it belonged to Hugues de Rully. He built the square keep that still anchors the fortress. In the 14th century, with no male heir left, Rully passed to the Saint-Léger family through the marriage of Isabelle de Rully and Robert de Saint-Léger. In the 15th century the new owners added lodgings inside the walls and made the old stronghold more comfortable to live in.
In 1619 the estate passed by inheritance to the Montessus family, whose portraits still hang in the rooms. During the Revolution the marquise de Montessus was briefly held in prison in Chalon, and a certificate from the village praised her constant help to the poor. The château now belongs to Count Raoul d'Aviau de Ternay, a descendant of the Montessus, the Saint-Léger and the Rully families.
Rully is a fine example of a late medieval fortified house. A square keep, three round corner towers and a flanking tower are linked by curtain walls with a wall-walk, crenellations and arrow slits. Inside, the vaulted kitchen in the keep keeps a huge 15th-century fireplace and a collection of copper pans. Around the outer court, 18th-century farm buildings carry what is described as the largest set of stone roofs in Burgundy.
Guided tours start on the hour from 11:00 to 18:00 except 13:00, and payment is by cash or cheque only.
Checked on on the official site.
In July and August the owners lead guided tours of the interior, and the grounds can be explored freely. Groups can visit by appointment all year. Children can borrow costumes and try an orienteering course in the park. The family also hosts receptions in a hall overlooking the vineyard.
What to combine with Château de Rully on the same day, nearest first.
Château de Rully is about 27 min from Beaune by road (24 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €100 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? The castle dovecote still has its original revolving ladder and had room for about 2,400 pigeons. In 1991 Rully won a national award from the Vieilles Maisons Françaises heritage association.
Sources
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests
