the restored french chateau

by Sharon Santoni

Close to us in Normandy, lies the Château du Champs de Bataille, that has undergone the most remarkable restoration.

 

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Originally built in the 17th century, it has through the centuries been a château, a hospital, a  prison for women …. In 1992 it was bought by the fashionable interior architect Jacques Garcia, who set out not only to restore the château and gardens but to create a fitting setting for his spectacular collection of antique furniture and paintings.
A restoration like this is the work of a lifetime, and could only have been undertaken by someone with the knowledge, the eye, the budget and the right connections!
Today the main apartments and the stunning chapel are open to the public, and the private apartments can also be viewed by prior arrangement.

 

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The original plans for the buildings were unfortunately destroyed, but the garden design was kept preciously, and today the gardens have been recreated to their original layout complete with rose gardens, waterways, and long sweeping alleys.
Definitely one of my top recommendations if you are in Normandy
some time between April and October!

31 comments

Sophia Home January 31, 2013 - 10:08 am

Absolutely breathtaking Sharon! What a fabulous achievement for Jacques Garcia and the nation is fortunate to have people such as him, with ultimately the budget, but also the passion, talent and expertise to complete such a fabulous restoration on such a large scale.

We had a gorgeous few days in Normandy last autumn and hope to be there this year at some stage too – I shall most definitely be adding Chateau de champs de bataille to my list of top places to visit. Thank you!

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labergerebasque January 31, 2013 - 11:27 am

I am not a huge fan of Jacques Garcia, but I can really appreciate what he has done here (he is trop chargé for my tastes). IF I ever get off this farm in the Basque Country again (weekend away with my sweetie,!) I would love to see the Normandy region and of course, this chateau. I LOVE YOUR ARTICLES, the variation of your topics…

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CÉLINE CHOLLET January 31, 2013 - 12:22 pm

Merci Sharon !
Ça donne envie d'aller voir !
Je vois que les boiseries vertes rendent bien, cela renforce mon choix…
Bonne journée,
Céline.

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The enchanted home January 31, 2013 - 1:31 pm

Drooling over every gorgeous inch (except the animal gallery that would freak me out especially the ceiling)! But truly this is spectacular in every sense!

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thefarmfiles January 31, 2013 - 3:13 pm

Oh, bookmarking this page, with hopes of a visit to your area. You provide best information about beautiful places near you! That trophy room (or hallway…or whatever it's called) is incredible.

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The White Pear Tree January 31, 2013 - 3:32 pm

Spectacular! This is what it must feel like living in Versailles, the gardens look just as beautiful and opulent!

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Barbara Lilian January 31, 2013 - 3:45 pm

Thanks for showing us this wonderful chateau, although I have to agree with the comments from 'labergerebasque' c'est trop charge pour moi aussi. although fantastic restoration.

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vicki archer January 31, 2013 - 4:15 pm

Beautiful Sharon… I can only imagine how the work to creat that beauty both inside and out… xv

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DecRenew Interiors Blog January 31, 2013 - 5:27 pm

I'd love to live in a chateau!

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Curtains in My Tree January 31, 2013 - 5:41 pm

Fabulous, with my small mind I can't imagine someone with enough money to completely bring that huge chateau back to it's original glory

I would love to see it in person

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Amelia January 31, 2013 - 6:49 pm

Simply marvelous. I love when old chateaus, mansions and historic homes are restored to their glorious beginning. What a stunning place.

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donna baker January 31, 2013 - 7:26 pm

I have never seen a silver bathtub before. Exquisite. I would love to see all the cabinets de curiosities.

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Francine Gardner January 31, 2013 - 7:59 pm

This renovation is stunning…it reflects the passion and love of Jacques Garcia for antiquities and style.
To lead such a life! an extraordinary journey

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PURA VIDA January 31, 2013 - 9:31 pm

truly incredible…can't even wrap my mind around the mounts in the hallway

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Denise at Forest Manor January 31, 2013 - 9:44 pm

Oh my goodness, Sharon; this is magnificent! What a splendid restoration! This really is a beautiful chateau, chapel, and gardens. I love his furniture and artwork, as well — definitely a site worth visiting.

Thanks for sharing.

Denise

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Kristie Franklin January 31, 2013 - 11:55 pm

Magnificent chateau! So beautiful, it must have taken years to do this. He has exquisite taste! Thanks for sharing.

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Lorrie February 1, 2013 - 4:01 am

What an amazing project – deep pockets and lots of time are de rigueur!

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Karen Albert February 1, 2013 - 5:20 am

Dear Sharon,
A stunning renovation, Jacques Garcia is genius an amazing tribute to hie taste and talent.

xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Series

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Colleen Taylor February 1, 2013 - 6:22 am

Certainly not my taste but I can truly appreciate the magnitude of it. The silver bathtub is quite gorgeous. Very grand.

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abundance of love February 1, 2013 - 6:43 am

very beautiful….

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Splenderosa February 1, 2013 - 7:09 am

Can you even imagine the privilege of owning such a place?
Like a piece of fine art.
Beautiful.

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The Snowdrop Project February 1, 2013 - 8:09 am

What a beautiful chateau.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Liz x

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Karen (Back Road Journal) February 1, 2013 - 1:43 pm

It is hard to believe that this was ever a prison for women from looking at the grandeur now. Amazing restoration of the gardens and chateau. Certainly a wonderful place to visit.

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april February 1, 2013 - 3:30 pm

I am not greatly familiar with interior designers, but what I've seen of M. Garcia's work he already represents to me the zenith of French style in the grand manner. I'm glad he found another subject worthy of his talents and we're all the beneficiaries—particularly you who are privileged to visit. Well done, Jacques!

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Colleen February 1, 2013 - 5:21 pm

Thanks for letting us know it is open to the public. I'd love to see it. I have one of his books.

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Pat's Addition February 1, 2013 - 5:47 pm

Unlimited budget! A true steward of his property.

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peggy braswell February 1, 2013 - 6:14 pm

This is beautiful + Jacques Garcia certainly has taste to design such a grand place. Thanks for showing it to me. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Diogenes February 1, 2013 - 10:53 pm

I like most everything, especially those wonderful classical busts.

That said, I am not a fan of the taxidermy and cannot picture myself sauntering down that hallway to bed after a glass of wine, or two.

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Anonymous February 3, 2013 - 3:36 pm

Beautiful account.
More than a renovation, Garcia's Champ de Bataille is a creation. Neo-classical & baroque interiors and v. surpring gardens including antique colonnades and a small Roman theater brought back stone by stone from some Mediterranean source. The result is both staggering and quite unreal.

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Daisy Rogers April 2, 2013 - 9:06 am

Very beautiful…
Mostly people likes to adopt french style furniture whether they are chateau furniture. The chateau furniture will give an entire french style look to your home and they looks very pretty as the other designer furniture don't.

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