Château de Beauchamp
Antique postcard of the Château de Beauchamp in the Sarthe

The Château

History

— Four centuries of soul and stone —

Preamble

A residence that has crossed the ages

From the 16th century to today, the Château de Beauchamp has lived several lives: that of the Rouillet family, that of the Richer de Beauchamp family, and now ours.

Here is its story — that of a place we chose to bring back to life.

Chapter I

16th — 17th century

The origins

Before it bore its present name, the estate was home in the 16th century to a first building, whose outlines are now faint to us.

It was Regnault Rouillet, in the early 17th century, who had the main dwelling raised — the first true architectural signature of the place.

In 1682-1683, his descendant André de Rouillet engaged the architect Garaniau for major works: the residence took shape, and its outbuildings too.

Old view — east side
Old view — east side

Chapter II

1867

The fire & the rebirth

During the 19th century, the château's fate changed course: a fire ravaged the original building.

The Richer de Beauchamp family, already well established, then decided on a large-scale reconstruction. In 1867 — a date still legible on the façade — the château we know today was born.

The architect embraced the eclecticism of the Second Empire: Renaissance and neo-Gothic answer one another from one façade to the next, in a decorative vocabulary borrowed from the church of Notre-Dame-des-Marais in La Ferté-Bernard.

From its ashes, the château was reborn bolder than it had ever been.

Illustration of the château, pen drawing
Illustration of the château, pen drawing

Chapter III

20th century

The château through the ages

A discreet witness of the 20th century, the château hosted moments of elegance and conviviality over the decades.

In 1951, racing Aston Martins lined up before its façade — a black-and-white image that on its own sums up the art of living here. Seventy-three years later, in 2024, the same setting, other roadsters, and the same magic.

The stones remain — only the engines change.

1951 — 2024 · Aston Martin at the Château de Beauchamp
1951 — 2024 · Aston Martin at the Château de Beauchamp

Chapter IV

Today

Our adventure

A few years ago, we made a bet. To take on a residence we loved at first sight, and to write a new chapter for it.

We are a family. Our children have already left their laughter and their footprints across the estate. We unpacked our boxes here, and with them the idea that this place should not lie dormant.

The Château de Beauchamp is not a museum. It is a living house — inhabited, wandered, shared. We patiently restore what time has marked, and we open the doors wide so that others may, in turn, live their finest moments here.

"A residence is never truly owned. One is its keeper for a moment — and our moment has begun."

On the estate — spring 2024

On the estate — spring 2024

And now

A living house

A hen in the park of the Château de Beauchamp
The estate welcomes back its residents: hens, deer, butterflies.
Butterfly before the Château de Beauchamp in spring
In spring, nature reclaims its rights — and its colours.
Façade of the Château de Beauchamp in winter
Four seasons, four faces — the same stone, alive.

XVIe

Century of origins

1867

Year of reconstruction

4

Façades, 4 styles

Stories to write