Chateau de Saint Fargeau dates back to 980 ad, in that time it has enjoyed a colourful history. Thus earning a firm place in French history. The Chateau has survived its fair share of drama, royalty and war including being damaged by a huge fire in 1752, and being struck by lighting in 1855.
Yet still stands majestically over the stunning chocolate box town of Saint Fargeau. In 1979 to Michel Guyot purchased the Chateau and from day one had a vision to restore Chateau de Saint Fargeau to its former glory. We heard tales during our trip of how determined Michel was to take on this project and preserve history. The Chateau as it stands and operates today is a true testament of his commitment to keep history alive.
However he has not only preserved it, he has resurrected it, given it a heart and made it very much part of French life and the local community again. As you walk the endless corridors, you feel the love and dedication the Guyot family has invested to the Chateau, to make it come alive again.
I will never forget the moment we entered the courtyard, the only way I can describe Chateau de Saint Fargeau is breathtakingly majestic. I felt like I was walking onto the set of an episode of War and Peace. You can feel its beauty in every restored window arch and roof tile. The love that has gone into the restoration is so apparent.
Michel’s wife Noemi gave us a tour, and the work that goes on behind the scenes. Living in a place of such proportions, it would blow my mind. You have to love it, it is a life project. An exhilarating life project, but nonetheless, a project. One you cannot just walk away from, or have the day off. It’s a lifetime commitment.
In an innovative way to keep Chateau de Saint Fargeau in its current condition, they hold a history show every Friday and Saturday night throughout July and August. We were so lucky to see all the behind the scenes preparation. Including meeting the wardrobe team and getting to see the wardrobe department. There are hundreds and hundreds of costumes all waiting to come to life on show nights.
We also got to meet the horses that star in the show, and much to Joe’s delight had a tour of the stables.
We left thinking we must see the show one day. If you are visiting the region at this time of year I would say it is a must see event. A tall claim to say we haven’t seen it? But I have seen a tiny example of the work and dedication that goes into it. With all that work and love of all involved it has to be great.
The castle also offers guided tours and works closely with the community welcoming students who come to study and volunteer to work on the build. I don’t know the full details of this but Noemi pointed out the dormitories, wow can you imagine staying there?
We all fell in love with France, Saint Fargeau and the surrounding areas. It is a region that reflects French life in the truest form. And visiting historical building such as Chateau de Saint Fargeau made our trip so very special.
What an amazing place, not only from the outside which is majestic in all its glory, but on the inside too. It must be an amazing project to be part of, watching as the place is transformed and brought back to life with the restorations, as well as they begin full and lively with the history shows. It does look like you could really explore and loose yourself.
Great photos
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Tracey it is incredible, so grand and beautiful I loved our time at Saint Fargeau x
What an amazing old site! So Gallic in all its details 🙂
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Tim it is breathtaking, the detail in the restoration is incredible x
Wow what a beautiful place to explore and so many stunning photos of it. That wardrobe room looks like an amazing place – I could spend hours somewhere like that looking at all the different costumes. You’ve also made me want to go away and find more about the history of the chateau as well. 🙂
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Louise I felt so giddy in the wardrobe dept, I love seeing behind the scenes and it was fabulous x
This looks so beautiful. I love that first photo – the lines are beautiful #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you, I know it was such a breathtaking place x
I’d love a visit, the French castles are so impressive, though often they are just a shell inside. Looks like this has more.
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Fiona the ones we visited were so much more, and Saint Fargeau was just awe inspiring x
Wow! What a beautiful place to explore, your photos are just gorgeous.
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Ah thank you so much Melody, it was stunning, one of those places you long to revisit someday x
Wow, what a stunning building! The mind boggles as to how someone can take on the restoration of a building like that, such incredible commitment! It looks like they’ve done a fantastic job.
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Sarah the family live and breath the Chateau it is wonderful to see their love for it, such an incredible experience x
I’m loving reading all your posts from this holiday, I love France and this chateau looks so beautiful. They really have restored it so well haven’t they and I love the idea of them keeping alive. x
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Thank you Julia, I have totally fallen in love with France too, I know its incredible to see how much work goes into it, but its also quite touching to see the love that goes into the Chateau x
What a fun peek into this beautiful château, I’d love to see the costumes for the shows. I hope you’ll link up one or 2 of your France posts to #AllAboutFrance next Thursday (7th). You’ll find more details in the side bar of my blog.
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Thanks Phoebe I need to remember to link up but would love to share this gorgeous place x
What an amazing place, imagine some of the things this place has seen.
Thank you for linking up
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I know, wouldn’t it be amazing to go back in time just for a while x
This looks like such an amazing place. I can’t believe how amazing it looks and what a fabulous idea to make the chateau the heart of the community too: I’d love to see that show!
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Karen so would I, I bet it is just incredible, but even the Chateau wow ! x
What a fantastic place to visit….The building is just beautiful x
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Kim it is a wonderful place to visit we all loved it x
What a majestic place and the photo that you have taken is simply amazing. Lovely details in there too! #mysundayphoto
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Merlinda it is breathtaking there and thank you so much it was such a easy subject x