Centuries of history and a taste for the arts – a felicitous combination of ancient and modern
A feudal fortress, a country residence, a treasure trove of art, and a place to stay in the highest comfort, the Château Châtillon-en-Bazois, is set in a park overlooking the water gardens, and offers much more besides. Situated between Morvan and the Nivernais region in the heart of Burgundy (Nevers), it provides an ideal base from which to discover regional cultural and gastronomic riches, to explore its countryside, and to travel back in time.

Built in the 15th century and surrounded by a vast park, the château has retained its soul while progressively benefitting from the addition of modern comforts since the 19th century. © H. Pepke
One thousand years of history

© CMS – Châtillon-en-Bazois
The château – one of the four Nivernais baronies and at stake during the Burgundian wars at the time of Charles the Bold – is one of the oldest fortress-castles and is documented from 980. It was made a little more comfortable in the 19th century, and then fell into a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ trance, until it was rediscovered by the Sribny family.
It was with art that the present owners breathed new life into the Château Châtillon-en-Bazois, and it is through the most diverse forms of art, that its soul has been revealed to the hosts and to their guests. Chantal Moreau-Sribny, daughter of a renowned artist, and who grew up in the artistic circles of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, was predestined to be the one to reawaken the ‘Sleeping Beauty’, once an old feudal castle on the banks of the River Aron.

A wonderful view looking over the River Aron and the water gardens designed by Chantal Moreau-Sribny. © CMS – Château de Châtillon-en-Bazois
Attention to detail
The works of renowned sculptors are exhibited in the gardens; furnishings and fittings were created specially for the tower bedroom (strongly defensive in character), furniture, paintings, and works of art in the library or chandeliers, and Venetian glass in the music room; casts from the Louvre workshops grace the staircases and the corridors – and in the lounge bar near the swimming pool, which looks like a miniature replica from Versailles, there is even a period juke box. Every item has been carefully selected or commissioned and, as every musician in an orchestra, has its designated place in the whole.

Hunting room with sumptuous dishes designed and produced specifically for the castle © H. Pepke

The tower’s bathroom has a unique bath designed by a contemporary artist. © H. Pepke
All the bedrooms are different
No archer’s arrow has been seen for nearly five hundred years. Cars have replaced the carriages of yesterday, and artistic excellence has replaced the might of the nobles, but the life breathed into the château by the present owners, has given it a permanent resonance with past eras. Guests will savour its multiple charms – basking in the designer bathtub in the tower room, or waking up in a four-poster bed in a room overlooking the gardens, or dining at a table magnificently dressed with precious tableware. Every minute will be a journey back in time while preserving all the modern comforts.

Meeting up with the 19th century. © CMS – Château de Châtillon-en-Bazois

A gourmet trail will take food-loving guests to different rooms in the château where they will meet up to dine and enjoy a fairy-tale atmosphere and festive decor as can be seen here in the beautiful Italian dining room. © CMS – Château de Bazois

The roasting spit in the historic kitchen is still used to cook succulent poultry. © H. Pepke
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