Elegance and the Art of Living in the Heart of the Beaujolais Region

A Message from the Owner

I fell in love with the Château de Champ-Renard, a residence steeped in French history since the time of Saint Louis in 1250. Becoming the custodian of such a place is both a privilege and a responsibility: the responsibility to preserve an exceptional heritage, to bring it to life today, and to pass it on to future generations.

For me, restoring and revitalizing this estate is a quest for excellence, sharing, and emotion. Drawing on a lifetime of diverse experiences, I wanted to ensure the Château de Champ-Renard’s place in the coming century by balancing respect for its authenticity with an ambitious restoration, modern amenities, and a strong commitment to environmental preservation and biodiversity.

As someone who loves this unique region and its ancient stones, I am committed to making this estate a vibrant place, open to new encounters and brought to life by a team of passionate people. Together, we work every day to honor the legacy entrusted to us and to write a new chapter in its history.

Our hope is that this exceptional setting will provide you with your most wonderful experiences and your most cherished memories—from a simple drink shared with friends to the grandest events, where you become the stars of the show for an evening. In this way, every visit helps keep the castle’s spirit alive and carry its history forward for generations to come.

— Denis, Owner and Manager of Château de Champ-Renard

Delphine

Director of the Château

At the helm of the estate, Delphine orchestrates the life and development of the Château with a dynamic vision. She coordinates all activities, from strategic decisions to the personalized experiences offered to our visitors.
Managing a wine château is much more than simply running an estate. It means bringing a heritage to life, passing on a history, and creating moments that leave a lasting impression.
The vineyard is the beating heart of the château. It tells the story of our terroir, our high standards, and the expertise of those who cultivate it with passion. Around it has grown a world where wine becomes a true vehicle for emotions, sharing, and camaraderie.
Whether hosting a seminar, celebrating a special occasion, introducing people to our wines, or opening the estate’s doors to our visitors: each of these experiences is crafted with the same attention to detail and the same desire to offer a timeless escape.
We are convinced that the finest estates are those that know how to blend heritage with innovation, excellence with simplicity, and prestige with generosity.
Our ambition is to make Château de Champrenard a must-visit destination, where people come as much for the quality of its wines as for the emotion of the place, the richness of the encounters, and the authenticity of the experience.

Anaïs

Sales Manager, Wine & Weddings

As your dedicated point of contact for organizing and coordinating your weddings and events, Anaïs is there for you every step of the way. She guides you through the planning, follow-up, and execution of your event to ensure a stress-free experience right up until the big day. Also responsible for marketing the Château’s wines, Anaïs organizes and manages tours to ensure that visitors can discover our estate, its history, and its expertise in the best possible conditions.

Guillaume

Winemaker

Guillaume, the estate’s winemaking director, believes that the vineyard teaches humility above all else. Each vintage is unique; each season invites us to observe, understand, and adapt. His work consists of working with nature rather than against it, constantly seeking the best practices to preserve the soil, living organisms, and the unique expression of each terroir. Committed to organic farming, he takes a rigorous approach focused on resilience in the face of climate change and the continuous improvement of his practices. Convinced that a wine’s quality stems from the care given to the vineyard, he pursues a single goal with patience and conviction: to sincerely reveal wines that are true to their identity, their vintage, and their terroir.

A Rhône castle with a magical atmosphere —for an unforgettable experience

Located in the heart of the Beaujolais region, about 40 km northwest of Lyon, the Champ-Renard estate is a former fortified castle that was converted into a winery and family home in the 18th century.

It now welcomes tourists, as well as corporate seminars and private events. Whether you’d simply like to tour our wine cellar or book our Rhône château exclusively for a custom event, we invite you to enjoy a unique experience in a magical setting where elegance, authenticity, and the art of living reign supreme.

The History of Our Château in the Beaujolais Region

When it was built in the 13th century by the lords of Jarnioux, Champ-Renard served as a fortified residence: this Beaujolais castle featured a drawbridge, a moat, a keep, and fortifications. In 1284, the castle was transferred to the lords of Beaujeu to defend the territory against enemies coming from the south and east.

Over the centuries, the estate would have several successive lords and owners, including the Manchervet family in the 15th century. When the family’s daughter, Claude, brought the château into her marriage, Champ-Renard first crossed paths with a famous historical figure: Jean Agnot, a squire to the king who is remembered for having rescued the knight Bayard during the Battle of Garigliano. The castle remained in the Agnot family for more than two centuries.

In 1765, the Marquis d’Espinay-de-Laye inherited the estate and transformed Champ-Renard into a winery. The future U.S. President Thomas Jefferson—a great connoisseur of wine and then U.S. ambassador—was welcomed to the estate during a visit to the region.

It was also at this castle near Lyon that high, middle, and low courts were held (primarily to resolve disputes between neighbors) until the early 19th century.

Subsequently, the estate passed into the hands of merchants, notaries, and various owners, who used it as their primary or secondary residence.

It was purchased in 2014 by Denis Garnier, who decided to restructure the vineyard and completely renovate the property so it could host events.

The charm of a fully renovated historic site

Like any castle in the Rhône-Alpes region that has weathered more than eight centuriesof history, Champ-Renard has, of course, undergone successive restorations over the centuries that have left their mark on the estate. Of the original structure, only the medieval tower remains. Opening onto the Guard Room—which has been converted into a reception hall—it offers an intimate space that can be arranged as needed, whether as a boudoir or a place to sign the guestbook for major events at the château near Lyon.

The rest of the buildings date from the 15th century. The estate underwent a major renovation in the 19th century: architect Louis Germain installed mullioned and pointed-arch windows typical of the then-fashionable Neo-Gothic style, and designed a magnificent English-style park featuring a charming rockery bridge, an artificial stream, a bamboo grove, and a giant sequoia. To enter, visitors push open the gate on the vineyard side and walk up a wide, tree-lined path.

The estate still retains this layout today, which gives the grounds a romantic, fairy-tale atmosphere.

Please feel free to call us at 04 82 29 62 30 for advice or to request a quote.