Château de Cambiaire was built in the 14th century in the town of Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française. It is a quadrangular building with a round tower at three of its corners and a square tower at the northwest corner. It consists of three wings around a courtyard on the west side by a battlements surrounding wall pierced by a gate. The great crenellated tower, which dungeon office, is crowned on its summit terrace of a watchtower with a roof shaped pepper shakers. This square building built shale stone mixed with white quartz is the oldest. It has three levels, the first two date from the 14th century, the last level and the spiral staircase from a raising of the late 15th century.

This tower seems more ostentatious than most military as much as the castle was never the castle of Saint-Etienne. One of the ground pavement dwelling is probably contemporary dungeon. The others are the result of rearrangements of the modern era and those of the late nineteenth century and finally repairs arising out the 1944 fire. A park of chestnut trees and cedars surrounds the castle. There is a replica of the Lourdes grotto and a chapel dating back to 1875 in neo-Gothic style.

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Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Anna Crosetti (16 months ago)
Charming place, lovely restoration work with taste and eye for the details. The owners are warm and friendly. We loved the local produced vegetarian dinner and lovely breakfast. The place is not super easy to reach but it is well worth the ride. Thanks for the lovely experience!!!
Susie Klein (17 months ago)
I can't rave enough about our stay at Chateau de Cambiaire. Eric and Corrine are warm and welcoming hosts, anticipating their guests' every need. They and their family have done an amazing job restoring the chateau--an important part of French patrimoine--in a very short time. It's right on the Chemin de Stevenson, so lots of hiking to be had out their door. Meals shared with other guests were delicious and convivial too.
Shane (17 months ago)
We stayed for three nights in an apartment (la Calade) in the chateau. Very large lounge dining, kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Lots of space. It's very well appointed and you really feel part of a much older time. Beautifully done. The hosts Eric and Corrine are delightful - friendly and helpful. They have really worked hard to make what was a ruin, into a truly atmospheric, historically considered, place for visitors to the region. The food is vegetarian and for those who like some meat, there are a couple of very good restaurants nearby. My only suggestion for improvement would be a better reading right in the lounge - a small matter.
Grumpy Polak (18 months ago)
Never seen a 13th century castle restored so well. The owners are spending a fortune on decor and amazing furniture, It feels like a 5* hotel, I find the pricing an incredible bargain. One suggestion: please offer soy milk for coffee during the vegan breakfast (I stopped using cow milk for coffee yers ago, it’s much healthier then the “cow extract” , the taste of the coffee is the same).
mathilde dumas carriere (2 years ago)
Eric and Corinne welcomed us divinely! Their kindness and their availability particularly touched us. They are doing a remarkable job to restore the castle with taste. Thank you for sharing your passion for the history of Château de Cambiaire with us! And for accepting our little three-legged friend! We will come back with pleasure. Mathilde&Martial
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