Château de Beaulieu, Historical castle in Varennes-lès-Mâcon, France.
Château de Beaulieu is a manor in Varennes-lès-Mâcon with a rectangular main building, two elevated wings, large cross-mullioned windows, and high-pitched roofs with dormer windows. The structure follows a classical French layout with symmetrically arranged rooms and stone staircases.
Construction began in 1662 and took four years under Jacques Ray, replacing a medieval fortress that the Chaintré family had owned since around 1000. This represented a shift from defensive military structures to classical French residential design.
The building displays French architectural elements from the 17th century with symmetrical facades and staircases that reflect the regional design traditions of that era. These features shape how visitors experience the manor today.
The property operates as a hotel with dining facilities and sits in a rural location best reached by car. Visitors should book in advance since availability can be limited, especially during peak seasons.
The grounds contain underground passages that once extended in four directions from the central courtyard well, though they are now sealed. These hidden tunnels reveal that the property once had elaborate subsurface connections between different areas.
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