--- title: "Château de Bierre-lès-Semur: History and Restoration" description: "Once called the little Versailles of Burgundy, this 18th-century estate is being restored by new owners. Not open, 45 min from Beaune by private driver." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-bierre-les-semur lang: en updated: 2026-09-29 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/chateaux/chateau-de-bierre-les-semur.png --- # Château de Bierre-lès-Semur > Château de Bierre-lès-Semur: Once called the 'little Versailles of Burgundy', an 18th-century estate now slowly coming back to life. Château de Bierre-lès-Semur is in Le Val-Larrey (Côte-d'Or), 1 h 02 by road (78 km) from Beaune. Private, seen from outside · 18th century · Private driver from Beaune: €220 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Bierre-lès-Semur, now part of the commune of Le Val-Larrey, lies about 45 minutes from Beaune, south of Semur-en-Auxois. Its château is one of the rare 18th-century country houses of the Auxois. Once famous for its park, it suffered decades of neglect, and new owners are now restoring it. It is private and opens only on special occasions. ## Key facts - Type: Classical château - Location: 60 km north-west of Beaune · Côte-d'Or - Coordinates: 47.4229, 4.3029 - 1 h 02 from Beaune - Private, seen from outside - 18th century - Commune: Le Val-Larrey · Côte-d'Or - Style: Classical (18th century) - Heritage: Registered historic monument - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 02 · 78 km - €220 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 02 by road (78 km), €220 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History The château was built in the 18th century by the Chartraire de Montigny family, who were treasurers general of the Estates of Burgundy for most of that century. By the late 18th century it was one of the most lavish residences in the region. Its vast park, with temples, statues, pools and grottoes, earned it the nickname of the 'little Versailles of Burgundy'. The estate later went through long decades of neglect, although its grounds of about 43 hectares have largely survived. In 2022 new owners began shoring up the façades, and between 2023 and 2024 the façades and roofs of the north pavilion were restored with the help of the Fondation du patrimoine. In 2025 the whole estate, with its house, outbuildings, entrance pavilions, park and pond, was listed as a historic monument. ## Architecture The château dates from the middle of the 18th century. It is set within walls pierced by four entrance gates, with entrance pavilions, outbuildings and a farm. A small park includes a pool with a fountain at its centre, and an old field pond survives beyond it. Restoration has begun with the north pavilion, while other parts of the house still await work. ## Visiting The château is private and closed to regular visits while restoration continues. The owners have opened the exterior during the European Heritage Days. It is close to Semur-en-Auxois, Thil and Époisses. Check with the local tourist office for any opening dates. ## Did you know? A small 18th-century temple from Bierre's park now stands in Dijon. It was taken down and rebuilt in the city's Parc de la Colombière, far from its original setting. ## Around Château de Bierre-lès-Semur What to combine with Château de Bierre-lès-Semur on the same day, nearest first. ### Châteaux - [Château de Thil](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-thil) (5 km away): A ruined fortress and a Gothic collegiate church on a lone hilltop, visible for miles across the Auxois. - [Château de Bourbilly](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-bourbilly) (6 km away): The Serein valley home of Saint Jeanne de Chantal and the Marquise de Sévigné, still lived in today. - [Donjon de Semur-en-Auxois (Tour de l’Orle d’Or)](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/donjon-de-semur-en-auxois), 8 km away: Four huge towers of the dukes of Burgundy's castle still guard the old town of Semur. ### Things to do - [Collégiale Notre-Dame de Semur-en-Auxois](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/collegiale-notre-dame-semur-en-auxois) (8 km away): A tall, narrow Gothic church whose windows show the drapers and butchers of Semur at work, and one remembers American soldiers. - [Semur-en-Auxois](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/semur-en-auxois) (8 km away): A fortified town on a pink granite spur, looped by the river Armançon and guarded by great towers. - [François Pompon Museum (Musée François Pompon)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/musee-francois-pompon), 17 km away: Sleek animal sculptures by the Saulieu-born artist who made the famous White Bear. ## Questions about Château de Bierre-lès-Semur ### How far is Château de Bierre-lès-Semur from Beaune? Château de Bierre-lès-Semur is about 1 h 02 from Beaune by road (78 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €220 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### Can you visit Château de Bierre-lès-Semur? Château de Bierre-lès-Semur is private and not open to visitors. You can see it from the road or the village, and your driver can stop there on the way. ### Can a private driver take us to Château de Bierre-lès-Semur? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=chateau:bierre): €220 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - --- Canonical page: