History of the castle
A château that lives with the times, still inhabited after 2 centuries
Nestling in the heart of 3 hectares of romantic parkland, where tranquillity and harmony reign, Château de la Rozelle stands, surrounded by century-old trees, like a privileged witness to history.
Formerly a 17th-century closerie, it was transformed into a family home in the 18th century. Its exceptional location, close to the most beautiful Châteaux of the Loire Valley and Blois, attracted passionate owners who, over the generations, extended and embellished it while preserving its authenticity.
In the XXᵉ century, it housed a school of good French manners, welcoming young girls from prominent Japanese families. In 2011, it opened up to the hotel trade, beginning a new life. Refurbishments and renovations have been carried out to offer guests comfort and elegance, without ever betraying the soul of the place.
Its secret:
A château still inhabited by passionate owners, happy to live there, admiring its charm and attentive to its comfort.
So, from its origins to the present day, La Rozelle has gracefully weathered the centuries, adapting to the times and evolving without ever losing its soul.
Several centuries ago, life was organised differently. In the XVIIᵉ and XVIIIᵉ centuries, the notables of Blois, eager to escape the city, bought walled farms in the countryside, called "Closeries".
These modest farms, often less than 15 hectares in size, provided them with fresh produce: fruit, vegetables, meat... a discreet luxury that reflected a refined art of living.
Over time, these humble homes grew into grand mansions, marking the evolution of the countryside and of fortunes.
On the grounds of La Rozelle, a Closerie was built in the XVIIᵉ century, and the first known trace leads us to M. Faucher, the first owner of this place steeped in history.
Thus began the adventure of La Rozelle, long before it became the elegant château we know today.
After several successions, a turning point came on 24 October 1828, when Mr Abel Heme, a judge at the Blois court and son of a wealthy wine merchant based in Mer (a town between Orléans and Blois) bought the Closerie with his wife.
Driven by ambition, they transformed this modest estate into a vast family residence, adding land and building the house as seen in the period photo: a single storey and the south turret, a symbol of elegance.
On 8 November 1837, the property changed hands and became part of the prestigious Berthier family: Edouard Napoléon Charles, Comte, son of Major General Berthier and grand-nephew of Louis Alexandre Berthier, Maréchal d'Empire and Prince of Wagram, a loyal companion of Napoleon I. La Rozelle thus became a place steeped in imperial history.
Then, from 7 July 1846 to 9 June 1883, the château belonged to Jean-Baptiste Beunaiche de la Corbières, a medical doctor and benefactor of Cellettes.
The author of a treatise on "cold", he financed the village's first washhouse, contributed to the construction of the presbytery and, with his friend Eugène de Bellaing, donated a stained glass window depicting the conversion of Saint Hubert to the church.
President of the Russy Forest Hunting Society, he embodied the generous and enlightened spirit of the XIXᵉ century.
with no descendants, he died in 1879, and his wife, originally from Hamburg, sold La Rozelle in 1883 before returning to Germany to finish her life.
Thus ended an era, leaving behind a legacy of grandeur and generosity.
France shone on the world stage, and Paris underwent a metamorphosis under the leadership of Baron Haussmann: wide avenues, man-made parks, World Fairs, the Eiffel Tower...
In the provinces, the movement inspired elegant homes, and La Rozelle was no exception.
On 9 June 1883, Mme de Pothuault, daughter of the châtelain of Chitenay, and her husband Henri Collinet de La Salle, captain of the 10ᵉ Cuirassiers de Versailles, became the owners.
In 1888, they had the château raised, giving it the majestic appearance we still admire today.
After the death of Mme de Pothuault in 1899, the property changed hands.
From 1901 to 1934, several families succeeded one another.
In 1934, a new dynasty took over: the Chatillon family.
Jean Chatillon, a Parisian banker, bought La Rozelle to provide his family with a haven of peace.
But the Second World War disrupted this tranquillity: between 1940 and 1944, the château, located on the main road south, was requisitioned several times by the German army.
After the war, his son Louis Claude took over the property.
Every summer, La Rozelle returned to its original vocation: a place of family happiness, where the laughter of children in the park could be heard.
And so, despite the trials and tribulations, the château retains its soul and elegance, ready to write the next chapters of its history.
In 1989, a new chapter began for La Rozelle when the château was acquired by Mrs Minako Imada, a wealthy Japanese heiress fascinated by French royalty and the French art of living.
Driven by this passion, she transformed the estate into a unique place, and in 1992 set up a school dedicated to French manners.
Aimed at young girls from prominent Japanese families, the school offers three-week courses to introduce them to French culture: gastronomy, oenology, the art of the table, refined linen and crockery...
An immersion in French elegance.
During this period, the château also hosted a renowned restaurant, set up in the winter garden, which became a popular address for gourmets.
But in 2007, a new chapter began: La Rozelle was sold to a company.
The château closed its doors and plunged into silence... until 2010, when the story began anew.
In 2011, a new life begins for La Rozelle, as Mr and Mrs Brocault acquire the château to live in and restore it to its former glory.
driven by a passion for hospitality, they created a charming hotel, which opened its doors in June 2011 with 8 elegant rooms.
The adventure continues: in 2012, a second phase of work increases the capacity to 15 rooms, offering travellers a refined setting in the heart of the Loire Valley.
In response to the growing international clientele, an extension inspired by the one built in 1890 was added in 2015.
In 2016, 7 new rooms were added, along with a lift for optimum comfort and an overflow spa for absolute relaxation.
In 2020, the top floor of the extension was converted to accommodate the last rooms, bringing to a close a decade of ambitious transformations.
La Rozelle is now a must for lovers of charm, history and well-being.
After decades of transformation, 2024 marked a decisive turning point in the history of Château de la Rozelle.
The estate was bought by independent hoteliers with over 30 years' experience, who already owned the Domaine des Roches in Briare, Loiret.
Their ambition: to revitalise this site steeped in history and make it an authentic destination in the heart of the Châteaux of the Loire.
The château will reopen its doors in March 2025, offering a redesigned setting that combines authenticity with modern comforts.
new features include the opening of the "La Verrière" restaurant, bathed in light, and the creation of an elegant swimming pool nestling in the grounds, inviting you to relax in a lush green setting.
For history buffs, an illustrated booklet is available from reception, recounting in pictures and anecdotes the major stages in the life of the château and its grounds, from the 17thᵉ century closerie to its current renaissance.
Today, La Rozelle is writing a new chapter, faithful to its heritage but looking to the future, to offer its guests a unique experience in the Loire Valley.
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