Château d'Hérouville, Castle in Hérouville-en-Vexin, France
Château d'Hérouville is a castle built in 1740 that was converted into a renowned recording studio during the 1970s. The main building has two wings and several outbuildings spread across the estate, which also includes recreational facilities like a swimming pool and tennis court.
The château was built in 1740 and later served as a courier relay station between Versailles and Beauvais. Composer Michel Magne purchased the estate in the 1960s and converted it into a recording studio after a fire in 1969, where many successful albums were produced throughout the 1970s.
The château served as a gathering place for musicians from around the world during the 1970s recording boom. Visitors can observe how the spaces were arranged to foster creative work and collaboration between artists.
The site is now partially accessible and displays remnants of the original 1970s recording studios. The surrounding park with mature trees and open areas allows visitors to explore the grounds, though some sections of the building remain under restoration.
Elton John was so taken with the château that he named an entire album after it and recorded several of his biggest hits there. David Bowie used the space to experiment with new sounds that became part of his pioneering recordings from that era.
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