Wedding Venue France: Spotlight on Chateau de Mirambeau

Whilst staying in Poitou Charente, the husband and I took a trip to beautiful Bordeaux and on the way back came across the enchanting Chateau de Mirambeau.  Situated at the heart of a beautiful 8-hectare park, the renaissance-style castle is part of the Relais & Chateau Group and can provide the ideal residence to explore the region or provide private hire for your wedding celebrations.

I simply had to find out more about the history of this gorgeous Chateau and wedding venue France.

wedding venue Bordeaux

The neo-Gothic castle as appearing today was, for its most parts, erected from 1820 on, over the remaining vaulted foundations still to be seen of a medieval fortress built in the 11th century by Arthaud de Mirambel.  The castle was then known as Mirambellum with reference to its position overlooking the Gironde river’s banks and the Médoc ridge on one side, and the heights of Pons on the other.

From the 11th Century onwards it was attacked many times, passing regularly back and forth between French and English hands. It finally became a French possession in the 15th Century.  From 1562 to 1567 (France is then troubled by the ‘Religions Wars’), the stronghold of Mirambeau is occupied by the rebels. Badly damaged after several sieges, destructions and fires, the castle is nearly burnt down in 1570. That is when the present neo-Gothic north wing was built.

chateau mirambeaufrench chateauIn 1813, the Count of Duchatel acquired the castle for 260.000 francs.  It is he who ordered the significant restoration works that would turn the old medieval looking building into an impressive stately home. Both south-front lodges were erected over the XI and XIII centuries foundations and decorated with a neo-Louis XIII style façade. The building constructed in between, of the same style, would thus form the main south wing house.  The monumental mantelpiece of the present cognathèque bears the Count’s coat of arms as well as his motto: “ex urbe ejecit hostem” (he chased the enemy out of the city).  The chapel would only be erected later in 1865.

mirambeaufrench spaIn the 1970s, the Army did not have use of the castle which was then bought by the Region. Too costly to maintain, it was sold in 1992 to a wealthy American citizen who made a hotel out of it, unsuccessfully. Closed down for six years, the castle was bought in June 2002 by , Mr. Roberto Polito, Italian hotel keeper. Since 2005, the Hotel Mirambeau is part of the Relais&Châteaux hotel chain and in 2011 was brought by new owner Mr.Valter Mainetti.

As well providing a base for your regional explorations Chateau de Miramebau can also provide the backdrop for your wedding day.

castle weddingfrench castle weddingrustic french wedding

blue and white weddingswimming pool wedding

wedding chateauwedding car franceI would love to hear from anyone who has got married at Chateau de Mirambeau or if you are planning to get married here.

monique trulove --wedding blogger

Leave a Comment