Le Chateau du Broutel

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Le Château du Broutel is an 18th century Château situated in Rue. It is one of the most important buildings (from an architectural standpoint) in the town, and is one of the few buildings in Rue which are listed by Bâtiments de France.

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[edit] Background

The Château dates back to 1714 and is situated in approximately 40 acres. It was built by Jean-Baptiste Loisel, one of the senior cavalry officers of Louis XIV who died before the château was completed. It was restored in 1824 after some damage in the French Revolution, particularly to the roof. It was used as a regional HQ for the German second army during the Second World War. Remnants of the occupation include swastika motifs and inscriptions carved into the stonework around some of the windows.

[edit] Recent History

It has been entered on the French listed building register since 1969 for its façades and roof structures, as well as a room decorated with fine murals, a Louis XV room decorated with 18th century frescoes and outside the alley of trees leading to the château and the grounds of the old garden.

It was purchased in the later 1960s to be the private country residence of Lionel Leroy, who was the former managing director and son of the founder of the French DIY chain Leroy Merlin. It was Monsieur Leroy who both restored the Château to some of its original glory after a period of partial disuse during which much of the roof had fallen into disrepair and part of the main building was uninhabitable. Monsieur Leroy also converted the main Château building from private use to a hotel during the 1990s and began renovations to the impressive eighteenth century stable block. The Château was sold to a British company, Globebrow Ltd at the end of the century. Further renovations to the stable block and other outbuildings have been completed more recently.


[edit] Current Use

The Château continues as a 3-Star hotel, but has a duel purpose as a residential centre for British children at KS2, 3 and 4. It is also known as Château Aventure.

[edit] External links