Just a few kilometers from Bourg-en-Bresse, the Château de Montplaisant rises gracefully between the regions of Bresse and Dombes, surrounded by lush countryside, a perfect setting for elegant weddings and family gatherings. Built in the 18th century and expanded in the 19th, this historic estate has remained in the same family since 1936.
Jean-François Lécole, who owns the château together with his sister-in-law Élisabeth and brother-in-law Xavier Rebillard, shares with warmth and passion the story and daily life of this cherished family home.
Could you introduce yourself?
I am Jean-François L’École, owner of the Château de Montplaisant along with my sister-in-law Elisabeth and my brother-in-law Xavier.
How long has the Château de Montplaisant been in your family?
The château came into my wife’s family, I’m simply the prince consort, when her grandfather purchased it at an auction in 1936. It has remained in the family ever since.
For your family, is inheriting a château a burden or a gift?
Inheriting a château like this one is much more of a gift than a burden, there is really no comparison. It brings a lot of passion and so many fascinating experiences. Thanks to Votre Château de Famille, wonderful events take place here.
The house is full of life and also allows us to host large family gatherings without getting in each other’s way, which is truly delightful.
What renovations have you had to carry out in the château?
To keep the château in good condition and make it suitable for rentals, especially for weddings, we have had to do quite a lot of work. My father-in-law, who owned the house before us, had already done a great deal himself, as he was very handy.
More recently, to comply with fire safety regulations and accessibility standards for people with reduced mobility, we had to undertake significant renovations. We took the opportunity to make some improvements, adding a bathroom here and there to make the house more comfortable.
What renovations do you still plan to carry out?
There are two kinds of work in a house like ours. The first is the essential maintenance work, such as on the framework, the roof, or the surrounding walls. The less we have to do of that, the better, because it means the house is holding up well on its own.
The second category is more interesting, as it involves improving comfort. We are starting a new project this winter to complete the heating system, since at the moment three-quarters of the house has central heating, but one-quarter, including some bedrooms, is not yet heated. Starting in 2026, the entire house will be.
Beyond that, we will continue to gradually improve comfort. The long-term goal is to have one bathroom per bedroom. For now, that is not quite the case, as we have 13 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.
Why stay at Montplaisant?
Staying at Montplaisant means being in a true family home with a soul, a place that feels alive. That is what our guests always tell us.
You can see the mark left by each generation that has lived here. For example, we are now in the library, which my father-in-law filled with beautiful books, including a complete edition of Voltaire’s works and an 1820 edition of the Universal Encyclopedia. My father-in-law, who was a very learned man, left his imprint on the house.
Our goal has been to make the house more comfortable. One improvement I am particularly proud of is adding the football field on the lawn outside. Each of us leaves a small trace, and little by little, that is how we keep improving the house.
What is the château’s main asset?
It is hard to give just one answer. If I had to choose, I would say the gallery, which is beautiful with its arches. It is quite large, almost 110 square meters, and allows us to host a large number of guests for a dinner with everyone gathered in the same room, something that today’s couples value greatly.
Thirty years ago, when I got married, it was the opposite. People preferred smaller rooms where guests could find some quiet if they wished. Those smaller connecting rooms still exist, serving as cozy salons beside the grand hall.
So the château makes it easy to spread out guests for receptions or activities without anyone getting in each other’s way. That is truly the house’s greatest strength.
What is your favorite room in the château?
My favorite room in the château is a small lounge called the “clock room.” It is located at the far end of the house, on the east side.
It allows me to enjoy some peace and quiet since it is far from the kitchen and the dining room, which are, quite literally, the bustling heart of the house. There, I can be on my own and truly relax.
Can you tell us the story of the château?
From what we know, the château was built at the end of the 18th century, around 1780.
It was successively occupied by several marquises. The château stands right between the regions of Dombes and Bresse. Dombes, near Lyon, is known for its ponds and fish, while Bresse is famous for its chickens.
Later, the château was expanded at the end of the 19th century. Originally, it was U-shaped, with a central courtyard that was later enclosed by the large room I mentioned earlier, the gallery, which is very pleasant and faces south.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the château was unoccupied for about thirty years before being purchased by industrialists from Saint-Étienne. When their business declined, they sold it to my wife’s grandfather and aunt’s father in 1936. Since then, it has been passed down within the family, from grandfather to father and now to the children. We will see if our own children take it over next, but it looks promising.
Do you have a personal anecdote about the château?
A few years ago, we made a film at the château with the whole family, set to a song by Mika. Everyone had a role, singing lyrics and taking part. Since I am completely hopeless at singing, I sound terrible, my role was to juggle a football for the background of the film, which suited me much better. Everyone has their own talents.
It is not exactly the typical atmosphere of a château, but it shows that in the 21st century, a château should not only be a place for grand receptions. It should also be a place to play football and have fun.
Is there a legend connected to the château?
In our family, it is said that the château was built so large to ensure that, as long as those joining the family were not yet married, their bedrooms would be very far from one another. But I believe that is just a legend, it could hardly have been truly practiced.
If you had to describe the Château de Montplaisant in three words, which would they be?
I would say “beauty”, “immense” and “Christine”.
Because Christine was my wife’s name. She has since passed away, but she is the one who allowed me to discover this château and who cared for it for many years while working as part of the Votre Château de Famille team.
Does the château or the family have a motto?
No, there is not a particular motto for the château or for our family.
So let’s make one up right now.
Let’s say “History and Delight”. That will be the château’s modern motto.
What detail of the château do you particularly cherish?
What struck me the most when I joined the family, even though I was already an adult of 27 or 28, was the enormous wardrobe in the dining room.
It is absolutely huge. If I had to describe its dimensions, it must be about 3.5 meters high, 5 meters long, and 1 meter deep.
My wife’s grandfather used to lock his little granddaughters in the wardrobe when they were being naughty. It was so spacious that they could easily fall asleep and take a nap inside.
Standing in front of it, even as an adult, you cannot help but feel like a small child again because the piece is so monumental.
What is your favorite place to visit near the château?
My favorite visit is an obvious one, since the château is only 8 kilometers from the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse. It is a magnificent site that was voted the favorite monument of the French a few years ago.
It takes about 10 minutes by car or around half an hour by bike, as there is a lovely cycle path that goes from the château all the way to the monastery. It is a very pleasant outing and truly worth the visit, with a beautiful cloister and a fascinating museum as well.
Why did you decide to join Votre Château de Famille?
We were among the very first châteaux to join Votre Château de Famille. I believe we were the third or fourth in the network.
It was love at first sight between my wife and Catherine Gasiglia, the founder of Votre Château de Famille. We wanted to keep the house in the family, but its maintenance costs were high each year, so we were looking for a way to at least cover the running expenses. Votre Château de Famille, which manages all the marketing and commercial aspects, seemed like an excellent solution.
Over time, we became so passionate about the project that Christine, my wife, worked for several years with Votre Château de Famille. She managed five châteaux, including ours, as well as four others in the region. Today, we remain close partners with Votre Château de Famille, and a strong friendship has grown from this collaboration.
A final word?
If I had to say one, it would be that I hope this story never ends.
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