Château Aurélien de Fréjus, Palladian villa in Fréjus, France.
Château Aurélien is a Palladian-style villa in Fréjus that stands on a hillside northeast of the old town, featuring marble columns, limestone galleries, and marble floors decorated with Greek friezes. The building sits within a 24-hectare park containing botanical gardens and remains of an ancient Roman water channel.
The château was built between 1886 and 1889 by architects Sylvain-Joseph Ravel and Henri Lacreusette for James Hiscutt Crossman, heir to an English brewing fortune. During World War II, it served as a military command post before later sheltering displaced residents.
The villa reflects how 19th-century French owners embraced Italian Renaissance design principles, bringing southern European elegance to the Riviera coast. Its name and classical layout show how historical references shaped the tastes of wealthy families during that period.
Visiting requires exploring the extensive park, so wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time to wander through the grounds. The terrain is hilly, and taking a slow pace helps you notice the botanical gardens and ancient water channel remains.
The building drew inspiration directly from the Palazzo Chiericati in Vicenza, bringing Italian Renaissance architecture to the French Riviera during the late 1800s. This direct reference to one of Palladio's masterpieces makes it a rare example among late 19th-century French estates.
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