Château du Fayel, 17th-century castle in Le Fayel, France
The Château du Fayel is a 17th-century residence in Le Fayel built in classical French style. The building features a central block with two side wings constructed from brick with stone quoins in the Louis XIII architectural manner.
This residence was built between 1650 and 1655 when the French Marshal Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt and Viceroy of Catalonia commissioned architect Jacques Sparrow to construct it. The estate has remained in the same family's hands since its creation and has never changed owners.
The interior spaces reflect the tastes and lifestyle of French nobility across different periods, with rooms that show how aristocratic living evolved. Visitors can sense how the family adapted their home to match the fashions and comfort standards of their time.
The property is privately owned by the Cossé-Brissac family and normally closed to visitors. It opens occasionally during heritage events when the family welcomes people interested in learning about its history.
Several notable figures from the royal court visited this residence, including Queen Christina of Sweden, King Louis XIV, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin. These prestigious visits demonstrate the importance and status this residence held in French society of that era.
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