Château du Petit Perron, Renaissance castle in Pierre-Bénite, Lyon Metropolitan Area, France
The Château du Petit Perron is a Renaissance castle with three buildings arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard. Arcaded galleries run across three levels on the inner sides, creating the distinctive architectural framework of the complex.
Merchant Jean Camus built this castle between 1530 and 1574, constructing it over an earlier structure that had existed on the site. Records mention an earlier settlement from 1187, indicating this location had been occupied for centuries before the current castle was created.
The interior paintings from the 1570s reveal how wealthy merchants of that era decorated their homes with artistic refinement. These works show the aesthetic tastes of people who had both money and an appreciation for beauty.
The castle opens to visitors primarily during special events and requires advance reservation to visit. Checking ahead is important since access is not guaranteed on regular days without prior arrangement.
The property preserves remains of 16th-century fortifications on its eastern and southern sides. These surviving structures reveal how the estate was defended and hint at its strategic importance during that period.
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