Located in the Garonne valley, in the Bordeaux region, Château Marcellus rises impressively amid vineyards on an extensive 35-hectare estate. It is here that the fields stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see, the fragrant gardens set Spring ablaze, the swimming pool immerses you in summery serenity and the gastronomic experiences conjure up the extravagance of the French court.
The castle, the couple’s residence, also includes an area designed to welcome guests in pursuit of a glorious experience. The renovation process began in 2020 with a commitment to both honouring the memory of the property and shaping an auspicious future.
The estate and castle used to belong to King Henry IV until 1581, but the current building was constructed between 1773 and 1775. The opulent scale, the simplicity of the geometric shapes and the details inspired by Greek and Roman architecture attest to the elegance and nobility of the building’s neoclassical style. A vast array of antiques, sculptures and original pieces of architecture from the 16th to the 19th century inhabit the interior in a kind of museum collection provided by Origines, Samuel’s company.
The castle’s history provided the starting point for the couple to develop a fabulous narrative, the fruit of their passion for the past. Catherine became particularly immersed in the decoration. The house spoke for itself, providing subtle clues for the redesign of the spaces. In the attic, she found hand-sewn silk fabrics dating back to the early 19th century. With these, she created an original piece that now adorns the canopy bed in the couple’s bedroom. The original colour of the walls was restored with patience and a flair for working with dyes.