Château Pechrigal, Medieval castle in Saint-Clair, France.
Château Pechrigal is a stone castle perched on a hilltop in Saint-Clair with towers, a dungeon, an interior courtyard, and exposed wooden beams decorating nineteen rooms. The surrounding estate spans 65 hectares and includes a caretaker house, wine cellar, and various recreational facilities.
Pierre de Casatou, lord of the Saint-Clair province, built this fortified residence in the 14th century and named it Pechrigal, meaning royal hill. Later ownership changed hands, with French musician Leo Ferré acquiring it in 1965 before an American businessman purchased it in 1998.
The castle holds connections to French music and art through its time with singer-songwriter Leo Ferré, whose creative presence shaped the space. Visitors today can sense the artistic legacy that remains embedded within its rooms and grounds.
The hilltop location means the terrain varies and areas are spread across the property, so visitors should allow time to explore the different sections. The grounds include recreational facilities scattered throughout, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended for a full visit.
The property produces around 4,500 bottles of wine yearly from its own vineyards, with a dedicated wine cellar on the grounds. This working vineyard operation is a surprising facet that many visitors discover only upon arrival.
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