Château Shopping (no. 12)
Things as not a big as they seem
Continuing our northern Journey the second Château we visited was on the edge of Commentry France. Not exactly the fairy tale village that are so prevalent, but more of a village gone city, but still small enough to have countryside charm. The existence of a large steel mill seems to be the current driving force behind Commentry, and over the last 200 years the village has gone from tiny town to moderate metropolis. As we drove through the center of town a large rooftop began to appear in the distance, followed by more roof, then the tops of two massive towers. Chateau des Forges.
As with our former home in the wine country of Northern California, we have discovered that many Châteaux are illusions of size. 227 North Street in Healdsburg California did not show its size from the street view. The street side was in keeping with the neighborhood, the facade hid the secret of its rather vast interior. Chateau des Forges does the same thing only in reverse. Appearing massive and intimidating, it is actually on the smaller side. The sheer thickness of the stone walls (up to three feet) certainly take up mass amounts of interior space.
Built in the 1500’s and then remodeled in 1767, the two main facades of the Château are very different from each other. The front with the two gigantic towers looking very fortified and castle like, and the rear having the delicate grace of the eighteenth century.
One of the things that made this Château standout was the graciousness and tasteful beauty of the decoration of the interiors. Château des Forges is owned by two French Gentlemen who have impeccable taste and an eye for those unusual moments that make up great interiors. They purchased the Château in the mid 2000’s and had to completely makeover and recreate many of the interiors as the Château had been used as a dormitory for a children’s camp for years. All those grubby little hands tearing things apart and destroying what remained makes me shudder! One of the outbuildings to this day contains showers, sinks, toilets, and a classroom for the camp, everything really, really close to the ground.
Currently the Château has only 4 bedrooms, 2 on the first floor (2nd floor US) and 2 on the second floor. (3rd floor US). The cellar level is where the original large kitchen was, but this space has been abandoned and is now used for a boiler room and storage. The ground floor (1st floor US) contains a Salon, a Dining room, a small office and kitchen. The attic floor is a vast open timbered space that does have incredible potential, but aside from staircases and corridors, that is the entire makeup of the Château.
Chateau des Forges
Les intérieurs
Most everyone who know me knows that I have a thing for light fixtures. Château des Forges did not disappoint! One of the owners was regaling us with a story of the dining room chandelier, while everyone else was getting somewhat tired of the rambling I was riveted to every word! Most of the properties we have seen have had the chandeliers and secondary lighting removed from them. Even if they were present one can only assume that they will be gone after the sale closes, as lighting is not considered part of the structure or sale, and the former owners can remove them at will prior to handing over the keys. This sale is different! Everything that is currently in the Château is staying, lighting, furniture, paintings, and carpets.
Lighting
Although this castle is actually quite livable and not in dire need of anything except personal choice changes, and a revitalization of the former cellar kitchens, the outbuildings are different story. Add to the outbuildings a farm house and barns that are adjacent to the alley (the main long drive entrance) that the owners recently purchased after a long battle between property owners, and it is included with the sale. Meaning that if this Château were a good fit for us there is still plenty of rebuilding and creating to do!
The Outbuildings, Farm house, and Barns
We are still very unsure about being in the north, with isolation and the weather/shorter season topping the list of reasons why. But if we were to consider a northern life this Château would not be a good fit. As lovely as it is with its fairytale appearance, beautiful fittings, and a parkland to die for… it is simply too small.
The search goes on!…