Château d'En-Bas with two manor houses, outbuildings, countryside and fountain, Castle in Mex, Switzerland
The Château d'En-Bas with two manor houses, outbuildings, countryside and fountain is a castle complex in Mex, Switzerland. It consists of a main building with two manor houses, several outbuildings, a rural area, and a fountain, all set within a courtyard and surrounded by grounds.
Built in 1403, the castle became a fief of the Cossonay family, while the upper castle remained with the Charrière family. In 1898, Colonel Ferdinand de Charrière reunited both estates by purchasing the lower domain. The castle was saved from highway construction in the 1970s thanks to a private grass airstrip.
The name 'En-Bas' distinguishes it from the nearby Château d'En-Haut, reflecting the division of the estate. The two manor houses and outbuildings show how a country estate functioned, with spaces for living, storage, and farming.
The site is private property, so visitors should view it from the public road that passes nearby. The complex is best seen on foot, and the surrounding area offers paths for walking and observing the architecture from outside.
The castle's survival was ensured by a private grass airstrip built in 1948, which was considered an emergency landing field by the federal aviation office. This led to a modification of the A1 highway route, sparing the estate.
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