Château de Purnon

Château de Purnon is an 18th-century château built in tuffeau stone masonry with a striking 3-kilometer tree-lined alley extending through the Forest of Scévolles, surrounded by two substantial farm buildings of the same construction. The entire complex includes a dry moat, tiered terraces, and a northern entrance gate, all of which received Historical Monument protection in 1995.

The château was constructed between 1779 and 1788 by Antoine-Charles Achard, Marquis de la Haye, using materials salvaged from the demolished Château de Brisay. Building materials and stone from the older estate were repurposed and incorporated into the new structure.

The façades display Louis XVI-style features with carefully crafted tuffeau stone details. The architecture reflects the taste of the late 18th century and becomes visible when examining the outer structures.

The château is not open to the public and can be viewed only from the exterior. Visitors should observe the property from the roadside to respect the private nature of the estate.

The property was purchased in 2020 by former Australian politician Tim Holding and Felicity Selkirk, who documented their restoration journey in the book Château Reawakening. This restoration story highlights recent efforts to preserve and revive the historic building.

Location: Verrue

Inception: 1779

Architects: Laurent Bourgeois

Official opening: 1788

Architectural style: Louis XVI style

Floors above the ground: 3

Floors below the ground: 1

Elevation above the sea: 100 m

Made from material: Tuffeau stone, rubble masonry, stale roof tile, oakwood, enduit

Address: Le Moulin-Bigeard

Website: https://chateaupurnon.com

GPS coordinates: 46.87046,0.18053

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:40