Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Rambuteau Castle, located in Ozolles in Saône-et-Loire, is a second quarter 19th century building, rebuilt in 1824 by Count Philibert de Rambuteau on the remains of a 16th century castle. Only a tower and chapel of this period remain. The present castle, of neo-Louis XVI style, consists of a body of rectangular houses flanked by pavilions and circular towers. Its landscaped park, built by renowned architects such as Jean-Marie Morel and Duchene, incorporates a redecorated chapel and hydraulic elements ( ponds, canal).

The Barthelot de Rambuteau family, settled on these lands since the 16th century, marked the history of the place. Claude-Philibert de Rambuteau (1781–69), prefect of the Seine and natural grandson of Louis XV, undertook the reconstruction of the castle and planted the park between 1815 and 1827. At his death, his three daughters inherited the estate: Lone, Marie-Louise-Antoinette, founded charitable works in Bois-Sainte-Marie, while another family branch, the Lombard of Buffières, took up the title of Count of Rambuteau until the 20th century. The castle, still privately owned, was classified as a Historic Monument in 2000 and 2002 for its architectural and landscape elements.

Inside the castle presents a neo-Louis XVI decor, with enfilade pieces. The facade on the park is preceded by a terrace accessible by a double staircase in wrought iron. The dardian roofs, enhanced at the end of the 19th century, and the domes of the towers, crowned with lanterns, reflect successive restorations. The estate also includes commons, a greenhouse orangery, a cooler, and the ruins of a medieval tower. Although not open to the public, the castle remains an emblematic example of the Burgundian architectural and landscape heritage.

The park, which was added to the Additional Inventory of Historic Monuments in 2000, includes a regular garden, a vegetable garden, half moons of entrance decorated with statues, and two ponds (the Glacier and the New Pond). The chapel, redecorated in the 19th century, is integrated into this landscape. Landscape architects, including Aimé Curteni, collaborated in its design. The castle and its outbuildings (farm, stake) were classified in 2002, consolidating their heritage protection.

The history of the castle is linked to political and military figures: Claude Barthelot, Marquis de Rambuteau (1670–1756), brigadier of the King's armies and lieutenant de Mâcon, had a residence built in the 18th century. His descendant, Philibert-Marie-Edouard Lombard de Buffières (1838–1912), prefect and councillor of state, perpetuated the name. In the 20th century, Amalric-Philibert-Emmanuel Lombard de Buffières, Count of Rambuteau, joined the Resistance and perished in deportation in 1944. Today, the estate belongs to Count Patrice de Rambuteau.

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