Château de la Piscine: An 18th-Century French Manor in Montpellier

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.jardinslanguedoc.com

Country: France

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

The Château de la Piscine is situated in Montpellier, France, and was erected during the latter half of the 18th century by French builders. It occupies a site with a deep historical background linked to medieval estates in the region.

Originally, the land where the château stands belonged to a hunting estate known as the mas de la Peyssine. In 1435, this property was held by Charles de Boucicot, who served as a counselor at the Montpellier court of accounts. The estate later became part of the Belleval family holdings through the marriage of Anne Boucicot to Georges de Belleval, illustrating common practices of property transfer by marriage among local nobility.

In the 18th century, François Gaspard Richer de Belleval commissioned the architect Jean Antoine Giral, famed for his work on Montpellier’s Peyrou perspective, to design and build the château that was completed in 1771. This construction replaced the earlier hunting lodge with a refined residence reflecting the architectural tastes of the time.

The Belleval family retained ownership well into the 19th century, with records showing that in 1814, Élisa Bacciochi, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany and sister to Napoleon I, took refuge here during her flight from military conflicts in Italy, remaining for a brief three-week period. Following the Bellevals’ tenure, which ended in 1817, the estate passed through various owners until 1893 when Alfred Chaber, a notable collector, purchased it and gave the property its current name, Château de la Piscine.

In the early 20th century, André Chaber, Alfred’s son, undertook a restoration of the château’s formal French gardens, maintaining the estate’s historical landscape traditions. The château remained within the family, later managed by André’s granddaughter. A distinguished moment in the château’s modern history occurred in April 1965, when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, visited the grounds during a private trip to France.

Remains

The Château de la Piscine presents an ensemble characteristic of 18th-century French manor houses, combining refined architecture with landscaped grounds. Its exterior façades have been preserved with particular care, including the main entrance door adorned with decorative ironwork and the original roofing structures, which have survived the passage of time.

The interior spaces on the ground floor display significant preservation, excluding the service areas. Noteworthy rooms include a spacious salon featuring period decoration, and a green cabinet distinguished by its marble fireplace complemented by a trumeau—a decorative panel or mirror installed above the fireplace. The vestibule welcomes visitors with elegant finishes, while a wrought iron railing graces the main staircase, exemplifying craftsmanship of the era.

Beyond the château itself, the estate includes a surrounding park punctuated by several architectural components. The former chapel’s façade remains an integral feature, suggesting the presence of religious functions within the property’s history. A small pavilion with two wings adds to the park’s architectural interest, alongside ornamental basins, statues, and vases distributed throughout the grounds. The large gate at the courtyard of honor marks the formal entrance and contributes to the estate’s distinguished character.

Due to their historical and architectural value, the château’s exterior façades, interior spaces, and garden elements have been officially recognized as protected historic monuments since December 11, 1942. This status ensures the conservation of both the building and its landscaped surroundings as part of France’s cultural heritage.