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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de La Gallée, located in Millery in the Rhône department, finds its origins between the 14th and 15th centuries as a vineyard house. In the 16th century, it was transformed into a house of fields, illustrating the evolution of the Lyon wine estates. Its architecture combines medieval and Renaissance elements, with possible influences from Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio, friend of the owners of the period, the Vauzeles brothers.

In the 17th century, the estate was profoundly renovated by the Moulceau family, which made it a model winery, surrounded by walls, terraced gardens and gazebos. The Moulceau, notable Lyons, introduce sophisticated hydraulic installations and gardens inspired by those of Le Nôtre. The castle then became a renowned place of wine production, whose wines were served at the table of King Louis XIV in 1685 and 1686.

In the 18th century, the estate passed into the hands of several owners, including the Jesuits, who exploited it as an agricultural estate until the Revolution. After 1793, the Johannot family, an industrial paper company, made it an experimental farm, combining vines, vegetable crops and livestock. The successive transformations reflect the economic and technical adaptations, while partially preserving the structures of previous centuries.

The castle, which was listed as a historical monument in 1926, today preserves its 17th century enclosure and remarkable architectural elements, such as a tower-belvedere, arcade galleries and terraced gardens. Its history reflects the social and economic changes of the Lyon region, from medieval viticulture to modern agriculture.

The main buildings, organized in square with corner pavilions, house mythological murals and a stone staircase. The monumental entrance, framed by round towers and a column portal, bears witness to its past prestige. The hydraulic installations, partially preserved, recall the ingenuity of the former owners to master the water and embellish the estate.

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