Château de Berzé-le-Châtel

Château de Berzé-le-Châtel is a medieval castle sitting on a rocky ridge overlooking the Petite-Grosne valley and Mâconnais vineyards. The complex holds three defensive walls and thirteen standing towers that shape the site.

The castle was founded in the 10th century and received its fortified walls and towers in 1229 under Lord Hughes de Berzé to protect Cluny Abbey. These reinforcements made it a key stronghold in the region.

The castle displays a mix of architectural styles visible as you move through it, from Romanesque gateways to towers of different designs. The site tells through its buildings the story of several periods layered one upon another.

The castle opens from April through November and welcomes both guided and independent visits. You can explore medieval rooms, an underground chapel, and the gardens surrounding the fortification.

The site holds French and English gardens plus a kitchen garden that earned the 'remarkable gardens' distinction in 2011. These green spaces offer a quiet contrast to the stone walls of the fortification.

Location: Berzé-le-Châtel

Website: http://berze.fr

GPS coordinates: 46.38488,4.68862

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40