Bourg en Bresse hotel - Les chambres de la renaissance

1439

The domain of Sainte-Julie

In ancient texts, Sainte-Julie is called Ecclesia Sanctae Julittae. The first known documents concern the parish under the name of Saint Cyrille or Saint Cyr and Saint Julittle.

In the Middle Ages, the lords bear the name of their land. But it was in the twelfth century that the Lords of Coligny, sovereigns of Revermont and part of Bugey, build a stronghold on their estate of Sainte-Julie.

IN 14e siècle, the Seigneurie was sold to Jean de Grangeac. She will remain in the family of Grangeac until Pierre who dies without child in 1439. After many disputes, it was his widow, Jeanne de Varax, who obtained in 1441 Sainte Julie in covers of dowry rights. Sainte-Julie then goes to his nephew Georges de Varax. In 1462, Georges de Varax having died his only son, made donation of Sainte-Julie to Philippe de Savoie, Comte de Bresse.

1585

Reconstruction of the castle

The castle changes ownership and finally go under the ownership of Georges de Lyobard, August 25, 1585. It is under the reign of this family of Lyobard, the stronghold, took the pace that we know him today hui. It was therefore in the middle of the 16e siècle that the castle was rebuilt.

The old part was connected to the new part whose mullioned openings are more adapted to a pleasure residence. It comprises a single main building rectangular, elongated and very narrow. The facade on the side of the inner courtyard is the most interesting. Belonging to the Renaissance, flanked by two round towers, it is pierced with numerous mullioned windows and braces. On the 3rd floor, a gallery is located immediately below the roof. In the interior rooms, you can see beautiful Gothic fireplaces.

1824

Castle transformation

In March 1662, Georges de Lyobard bequeathed the castle to his nephew Rene de Varanges, but it riddled with debts, sells it on March 21 1680 to André Balme, honorary secretary of the King in the Parliament of Metz.

Sainte-Julie will remain in the Balme family for five generations until the Revolution. It is during this reign that the village, established around the strong house, takes its current configuration.

It was in 1824 that Charles-Auguste Balme sold Sainte-Julie, the castle and the land, to Jean-Marie Dupuy, a doctor of medicine, from a family of the country. The castle then goes to Matthieu Thomas, then Jean-Louis Vial son-in-law, manufacturer of silk in Lyon. He installs a factory of schalls. The castle is transformed into a workshop.

In 1854, at the estate of Benoite Thomas, wife of Jean-Louis Vial, an auction granted it to eight inhabitants of the village. The so-called “garden of the castle” was bought by the municipality which built a town hall, which has since become part of the school complex.

1984

Registration as Historical Monuments

In 1953, Madame Paulette Vial, descendant of silks, bought part of the castle to install an antique trade. Mr. Cailler remaining owner of the other part of the castle.

Since December 21 1984 the castle is the subject of an inscription under the Monuments Historiques for its facade and its roofs.

In 2007 after the disappearance of Madame Vidal, the castle remains divided into two distinct parts, one of which belongs to Mr. Charles Christophe, heir to Mrs. Vial.

2014

Takeover of the castle

It is finally, in 2014, passionate about “old stones” that I buy the part of the castle remained abandoned. After eight months of work, respecting the architecture of the place and the soul of the castle, Les Chambres de la Renaissance opened their doors in February 2015.

Then in late 2015, Mr. Charles Christophe offers me to buy the other party so that this beautiful castle finds a single owner and the restoration continues.

In addition, I thank my project manager and all the companies who carried out this renovation and took part in this great adventure.

With the creation of des Chambres de la Renaissance, my goal was to give a second life to this gem and to share the magical and unique setting of a night in a castle.

Isabelle