About Château de Belebat
Château de Belebat is a Renaissance gem tucked away in the picturesque Loire Valley of France, in the commune of Assay. Dating back to the 1500s, it originally served as a hunting lodge for the wealthy Scolin brothers from nearby Loudun. The name “Belebat,” fashionable for recreational estates at that time, roughly translates to “happy place” — an apt description for this estate surrounded by the lush forests of the Loire Valley.
In the early 1600s, Charles de Bremond became the first Lord of Belebat, transforming the modest manor into a proper Renaissance château. The Bremond family, regarded as one of the noblest houses in France’s western provinces, remained the only family to inhabit Belebat for over 150 years. Historical records indicate connections to the famous musketeers of France, with Henri de Bremond serving as a captain of musketeers and later Charles de Bremond acting as bodyguard to Queen Mother Anne of Austria.
In the 1760s, the château passed to the Poirier family, who unfortunately met their fate at the guillotine during the French Revolution. The property fell into neglect over the following centuries and suffered a devastating fire in 2003 that gutted much of the interior, leaving only the stone exterior intact.
Today, Château de Belebat is being lovingly restored by its current owners, Jeffrey Zeidman and Oscar Rinaldi, along with their three sons. They discovered the fire-damaged château while searching for a modest holiday cottage and have embarked on an ambitious restoration project. Several smaller outbuildings on the 90-acre property have been refurbished as holiday rentals, while work on the main château continues.
Did You Know?
- The château’s name “Belebat” translates roughly to “happy place,” reflecting its original purpose as a recreational estate.
- A hunting lodge on the property was built by the Nazis during the occupation of France in World War II.
- The château survived a devastating fire in 2003 that destroyed most of its interior while leaving the stone exterior intact.
Location
Type: Chateau
Status: Public
Region: Loire Valley
Location: Château de Belebat is located in Assay, in the Indre-et-Loire department, between the medieval town of Chinon and the historical “Ideal City” of Richelieu in the Loire Valley.
Castle Gallery
Historical Timeline
Scolin Brothers' Hunting Lodge
Belebat originated as a hunting lodge for the Scolin brothers, a noble family from Loudun. The name "Belebat" (or Bel Ébat), meaning "happy place," was fashionable for recreational estates during the Renaissance.
Charles de Bremond Becomes Lord
The estate was given to Charles de Bremond, who became the first Lord of Belebat. Originally from Aquitaine, Bremond was a trusted advisor to the Duke of Montpensier. His family would reside at Belebat for over 150 years.
Expansion into a Château
Charles de Bremond transformed the basic hunting lodge into a full-fledged château, suitable for his noble family. The date "1601" is etched into stones on the façade, marking this significant expansion.
Barn Construction
A large barn was added to the estate, featuring the date "1626" carved on the keystone of a side entrance. This indicates the continued development and self-sufficiency of the château complex.
Musketeer Connections
Henri de Bremond, son of Charles, served as a captain of the musketeers under King Louis XIII. His son, Charles, later became a bodyguard to Queen Mother Anne of Austria, strengthening the family's ties to the royal house.
Detailed Survey of Belebat
A six-page survey documented the Lordship of Belebat, providing a precise description of the château, its rooms (including seven bedrooms, kitchen, grand salon), and numerous outbuildings like stables, a bakery, and workshops. A sketch confirmed the layout matches the current home.
Bremond Family Loss
Henry de Bremond, brother of Charles (the Queen Mother's bodyguard), was killed at the Battle of Steenkerque during the Nine Years War while serving as a captain in the regiment of Champagne.
End of Bremond Ownership
After more than 150 years, the Bremond family's ownership of Belebat ended. Records indicate the property passed to the Poirier family.
French Revolution
The Poirier family, who owned Belebat at the time, were reportedly executed during the French Revolution. The château subsequently fell into a period of neglect.
Decline and Disrepair
Throughout the 19th century, Château de Belebat continued to decline, suffering from neglect and lack of maintenance.
Devastating Fire
A catastrophic fire gutted the interior of the château, destroying stunning wooden beams, moldings, fireplaces, and ornate ceilings. Only the exterior stone façade and frame remained largely intact.
New Ownership and Vision
Oscar Rinaldi and Jeffrey Zeidman purchased the fire-damaged and abandoned château. Despite its ruined state, they saw its potential and embarked on an ambitious, phased renovation project.
Ambitious Restoration
Château de Belebat is currently undergoing a meticulous restoration by its dedicated owners. While the main château awaits full renovation, several outbuildings have been refurbished for tourist rentals, blending historical authenticity with modern comforts. The project aims to resurrect this Renaissance treasure and create a unique family home.
