A 19th Century Mansart Style Chateau And Its Outbuildings Set In 32 Hectares Of Parklands

A 19th century Mansart style chateau and its outbuildings set in 32 hectares of parklands, meadows and woods 30 km from Carcassonne . A driveway with centuries-old plane trees, bordered on either side by vast pastures, leads to the 1879 Haussmann-style chateau. A little bit of history: Chateau Saint Joseph, which was formerly known as Chateau de Caulet, in Mazerolles-du-Razès, is the incarnation of Belle Epoque refined elegance in the Razès sector of the Aude area. It was built in 1879 by François de Gentil-Baichis, at the time a recently retired French Navy lieutenant, a talented water-colourist and the loyal captain of the Duke of Orléans’ yacht, the Maroussia. This Haussmann-inspired residence surrounded by a majestic row of hundred-year-old plane trees, either replaced or was built on the site of a former feudal castle whose traces can be found in the 18th century and which belonged to the estates falling within the remit of Mazerolles.

François de Gentil-Baichis was an amateur artist and produced many water-colours and body colours of the famous yacht Maroussia. These works are today sought-after and highly valued on the art market. According to local legend, Jean Jaurès himself is said to have often visited the chateau, where bedroom 14 (now known as the Edwige bedroom) was his favourite: this peaceful room on the second floor boasts exceptional views of the grounds, its more than two-hundred-year-old cedar tree and the Pyrenean summits on the horizon. According to another local legend, there was a former farm on the lands of the chateau that was used as a refuge by the Cathars in the Middle Ages, in this region that bears deep traces of their history.

The L-shaped edifice is bordered by a main courtyard on its east and north sides. The three-storey main building features extensions on either side. The left wing comprises two more modest, two-storey dwellings of similar style.

To the right and slightly set back from the main building stands a rectangular three-storey tower topped by a four-pitched, slate roof with a crest, finials and crenellated white stone frieze - the same material used for the surrounds of the three large windows with carved stone mullions. Next to the tower is a chapel dating back to 1890, covered by an abundant Virginia creeper, with two tall stained-glass windows framing a heavy wooden door.

At right angles, the right wing of the building houses a reception room and two flats currently rented out as gîtes (holiday accommodation).

The main building and tower have slate roofs, while the gîtes and chapel are monk-and-nun tiled.

There are also several outbuildings to the immediate right of the chateau, including a barn, a winery and a stable. Set in 32 hectares of parklands, meadows and woods in a dominant position, the chateau is protected from all forms of disturbance.
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/