Château Marcellus
Château MarcellusHistoric French Château Marcellus
Chateau Marcellus is located on the territory of the commune of Marcellus in the department of Lot-et-Garonne, near Bordeaux. The 35-hectares property dominates the beautiful Garonne Valley.
Built between 1773 and 1775, the Château Marcellus shows neo-classic architecture that reflects elegance and nobility. Neoclassical architecture and design were a reaction to the baroque excesses and ornamentations of Rococo. It’s characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, and details inspired by the Greek and Roman architecture era.
Moreover, Château Marcellus features a large collection of antiques, sculptures, and architectural pieces from the 16th to the 19th century. They are displayed by Origines by Samuel Roger, the owner of the Chateau and the leading French provider of period materials and architectural antiques.
18th-century Chateau was renovated with the purpose to create original and welcoming guest rooms and a wedding venue while preserving the property’s past.
Visit Chateau Marcellus and take advantage of this unique freedom to experience the life of the aristocracy. The charm of authenticity and the comfort of luxury is what you will find here.
History of the Château Marcellus
The first castle on site of Chateau Marcellus was built in the 14th-century. The land and the castle belonged until 1581 to King of France Henri de Navarre of duché d’Albret. The medieval castle was a fortress that defended the plain of the Garonne, and of which nothing remains to this day. In 1581, Henri IV sold the castle to Aymeric de Gasq, adviser to the Parliament of Bordeaux. The Chateau was kept in the family until the beginning of the 18th-century.
The construction of a new castle was undertaken around 1585. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Château became the property of the De Martin du Tyrac family, later called Martin du Tyrac de Marcellus. The works leading to the current shape of the Chateau Marcellus were carried out between 1772 and 1778 under the direction of the architect Richard-François Bonfin.
Henri IV, King of France
Henri IV, the founder of the Bourbon dynasty and King of France was one of the ancient owners of the Chateau Marcellus. The land and the castle belonged to him until 1581.
His retrospective full-length sculpture as a child is still standing in the main staircase of the Marcellus. The original sculpture, made from silver by the famous sculptor François-Joseph Bosio, is displayed in the Louvre Museum.
The portrait highlights the confidence of the young prince and always gives us the energy and faith in our renovation project.
One of our rooms was renovated in honor of Henri IV, featuring a monkey wallpaper to commemorate his wonderful Zoo and his favorite macaques.
16th-century Old Kitchen
Rich in history, our marvelous Chateau Marcellus has an imposing stone structure dating back to the 16th century.
The large kitchen was built between 1590 and 1600. This unique chamber makes a solid foundation of the whole Chateau. The interior has retained much of its original architecture and detailing and the massive walls and floors have remained untouched since its creations. The sewage system is still working and we love to put fire in the large oven enjoying the cosy and authentic atmosphere of this unique place.
With all respect to history, we decided not to renovate it and leave this space in its previous shape.
French Chateau Renovation
Our ambition is to conserve and preserve the architectural and historical heritage of the Chateau Marcellus. During the renovation process, we keep a balance between preserving the property’s past while providing the necessary maintenance to ensure its future. Renovating an 18th-century french chateau was a huge challenge but we are more than proud of the progress that we made.
Chateau Marcellus is a historical place that was once reserved for the nobility, but with our help and devotion, it has been lovingly restored. Now, the renovated castle allows you to experience the life of the aristocracy.
We are delighted to offer you stylish accommodation in the French countryside with a charming courtyard and a large, sunny terrace. You can choose from our three freshly renovated bedrooms and suites ideal for a romantic or family retreat.
