Château de Bothané, Neo-Louis XIII castle in Guidel, France
Château de Bothané is a Neo-Louis XIII mansion that sits on a large terrace near the Laïta River, surrounded by century-old trees at the forest edge. The estate accommodates forty guests across three buildings: the main castle, the Friends' House, and the Gardens of Bathilde.
The building was constructed around 1900 and originated from a romance between a count and the daughter of Théodore Ducos, Napoleon III's Minister of Navy. This personal story shaped the origins of the castle as a family residence.
The granite entrance hall displays characteristic architectural details with a massive fireplace, broad staircase, and suspended gallery featuring wooden balusters. Visitors encounter these features immediately upon entering the building.
Access to the property is easiest from the street side, as the grounds sit on an elevated terrace bordered by surrounding vegetation. It is advisable to check ahead about which areas are open, as the buildings are undergoing restoration work.
The roof requires extensive repairs to approximately 1000 square meters (10,760 square feet) of slate roofing to maintain its role as an events venue. This restoration project illustrates the challenges of preserving large historic properties in rural areas.
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