Chateau de Dree, Burgundy France

Our lovely Rabelo

Chateau de Dree is completely furnished and decorated in the style of the 18th century.  Since 1995 this chateau has belonged to Mr. Prouvost whose family used to be famous textile manufacturers.  He has restored and furnished the interior with authentic pieces bringing Dree to museum quality.  While open to the public for tours this is a home, and Mr. Prouvost resides there during the holidays.  

In front of the chateau is the lower courtyard.  There are two buildings on each side.  One of the buildings used to house servants, but also contained workplaces essential to the running of the chateau (such as a bakery, dairy, and a woodwork shop). The other side was the stables that used to accommodate a stud farm from Cluny until 1980.

The Honor Courtyard

Graceful sculpture in the Honor courtyard

One section of the kitchen.

Dining table.  The plates are made in Belgium (19th century). silver cutlery and Baccarat crystal glasses (one for each beverage:  water, red and white wines and champagne).

Reminds me of the bells from the show Downton Abbey.  The bells are connected to every room in the chateau. Each bell had a different tone, and by recognizing them a servant would know exactly where he was summoned.  

Mr Prouvost is fond of 18th century furniture and has personally collected (or had made) everything in the chateau including chandeliers and the curtains (made in the north of France, 3 km of curtains!)

Hunting trophies in the North Corridor.

Beautifully decorated room.

Dual purpose seating.  All the rugs are custom hand made and spectacular in color and design.

The First Sitting Room (Salon Louis XV). This room represents the style of King Louis XVI.  Against the wall is a roll-top desk with a Sun King clock above.  The rugs are hand made wool and a copy of the Savonnerie (celebrated weavers of the 17t and 18th centuries) hand made in China.

In the past every chateau was expected to have a special room for the king just in case he chose to visit.  However the King never came to the Chateau de Dree.  It is now Mr. Prouvost’s bedroom.

From the garden looking towards the back of the chateau

Looking at the back of the chateau

From the chateau looking out at the back gardens

Another view of the gardens

Graceful fountain

Wandering around the gardens we found a little house.  It’s an elegant “folie” called “the young ladies’ tower).

A well kept lock house 

Rabelo at the end of the day, tied up for the evening.

One of our walks along the canal.  It’s always peaceful.