Château de Saint-Marcel de Félines

History

The origins of the castle date back to the end of the 11th century. In the 16th century, this old "strong house" was restored and embellished by Jean de Talaru. These are the arrangements that gave it the appearance we know today.

The castle consists of three superb stone farm buildings, a 4 hectare enclosed garden, two pavilions and a family chapel.

The castle today

The Seigneurie de Saint-Marcel was originally owned by a family who had taken the name of his fief. Saint-Marcel was first a "strong house" that was to exist towards the end of the eleventh century. Indeed, we find Gaston and Albert de Saint-Marcel appearing in an act of 1095.

The name of this family had to be extinguished towards the middle of the XIIIth century, but a Heliotte girl married Etienne Guerric and Saint-Marcel, passing by women or nephews, remained practically in the same family until 1865, date with which the castle was bought by Baron Piston, ancestor of the former owner, the Countess Henriette Laurent des Garets (who was mayor of Saint Marcel from 1952 to 1977). It is his niece, Marie Ange HURSTEL, born Le Moyne de Martigny, who takes over the castle at his death in 1988.

The continuity of the different owners is one of the reasons for the conservation of this castle over the ages, where various generations, thanks to rich alliances, have brought happy transformations and embellishments, especially during the Renaissance. Great exterior and interior works were executed from 1580 to 1690 by the Talaru, lords of Chalmazel. Since then, the castle has not undergone any significant changes and only maintenance work has kept it in the state it is currently in.

The castle of Saint-Marcel never had the importance of the great fortress fortresses and his lordship included only the low justice, 100 men-at-arms, it is said, provided his defense. As can be seen from the outside, it is a square building flanked by cylindrical towers at 3 of its angles and remains of the dungeon at the 4th angle (sunset) .The dungeon was dismantled around 1396 by the "Grandes companies "also called" the English "who ravaged the passage and seized the castle. The castle is surrounded by dry ditches that were formerly crossed on a drawbridge falling on the studded front door which bears the date 1587.

This castle, with five centuries of decor and furnishings intact make the wealth and fame of Saint Marcel on the Patrimonial plan.

My castle is visitable

Medieval castle and renaissance, St-Marcel is a very well preserved ensemble. After crossing the moat you will enter a beautiful Renaissance courtyard surrounded on two sides by an Italian-inspired gallery in its heart is a well decorated with caryatids.

You will visit five rooms including some doors, beams, embrasures, fireplace and shutters are covered with paint. You will be able to visit the rustic kitchen with its monumental fireplace, its bread oven, its rack, its rotisserie and its amazing collection of brass. After that you will discover the kitchen garden and then the surroundings of the castle and the common rooms which have a remarkable kitchen with old farm implements.

The castle is open to the visit of Easter at the last weekend of October - Sundays and holidays and Mondays of August - for groups every day by reservation

Opening time :
14:30 - 15:30 - 16:30

Prices
Normal rate: 5 €
Young rate: 3 €
Other rates: Free - 12 years old

Group rate min 20 people:
adult: 4 €
child: 2 €