Château de Sautour

Envision yourself back in the 17th century, arriving by horse-drawn carriage at the impressive Château de Sautour. The Château de Sautour’s construction began in the first half of that century. It later saw expansions and renovations in the following years, shaping the magnificent structure we admire today. Initially, the château likely belonged to Claude de Picquet. However, details remain somewhat uncertain. His heirs sold the estate in 1681 to Louis Petit, a controller of the King’s buildings. Petit died at Château de Sautour in Crespières in 1713. The de Bullion family occupied the Château de Sautour during the 18th century. They also owned the nearby Château de Wideville. In 1780, Anne-Julie-Françoise de Crussol, Duchess de la Vallière and heiress of the de Bullion family, sold the château to Jean-Baptiste Daniel de Crux. The de Crux marquis family retained ownership until 1924. Then, in 1960, Michel de Bourbon-Parme purchased Château de Sautour and resided there until 1989. Sadly, subsequent owners, primarily property developers, neglected the building’s upkeep. This neglect led to a slow decline. By the 2000s, the once beautiful gardens vanished, and the Château de Sautour fell into ruins. Fortunately, a revitalization project is underway. The château is being transformed into private apartments. This will restore the historic structure while also providing modern living spaces. The project aims to reinforce the original building methods and structure. They will use traditional materials and techniques, respecting the historical significance of Château de Sautour.