Château de Fontaine-Française, Monument historique castle in Fontaine-Française, France.

Château de Fontaine-Française is a classical 18th-century building of light grey stone with dark slate roofs, built 1754-1758 for François Bollioud de Saint-Jullien. A central block with a dome holding two clocks and a lantern rises above a pediment; symmetrical wings with tall windows and dormers flank it, and the facade is reflected in a pond. The windows, 4.50 m high, carry allegorical mascarons on the courtyard side.

The castle was built during the 1750s on foundations from a 13th-century fortress and constructed for a high-ranking official of the French royal court. This replaced an earlier defensive structure, layering new architecture over ancient remains.

The gardens feature numerous linden trees arranged in geometric porticoes that form an integral part of the site's protected status. These shaped plantings were designed to demonstrate refinement and order, reflecting the tastes of the period.

The property is open only during certain months and requires joining a guided tour to see the interior spaces. Plan your visit in advance and wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are extensive and meant for walking.

The dome above the central block holds two clocks and ends in a flat terrace 25 metres above the ground. On the courtyard side, the pediment once carried the Saint-Jullien coat of arms, hammered off during the Revolution and replaced in the late 19th century by those of the Chabrillan family: a tower guarded by a bear's paw between two crowned lions.