Located at Saint-Étienne-le-Molard, in the Loire, the Bastie d'Urfé castle museum takes place in the heart of one of the Forez châteaux built in the 13th century then transformed in the 16th century before being classified as a Historic Monument at the beginning of the 20th century.
Labeled Maison des Illustres, the site was laid out in the 16th century in the Renaissance style by Claude d'Urfé and was occupied by the famous author of L'Astrée, Honoré d'Urfé, who features the castle, but also its surroundings., in his most famous work.
The building presents a remarkable architectural ensemble, with in particular a very beautiful loggia with twelve columns or a sphinx which keeps a cavalier ramp. Around the castle, it is possible to admire the only artificial Renaissance cave still standing in France. It seduces by the richness of its mythological decorations based on pebbles, shells and colored sands. Not far away, the chapel is also worth a detour with its paintings and plasterwork or even its earthenware pavement.
Listed in the pre-inventory of Remarkable Gardens, the gardens of the Château de la Bastie d'Urfé museum are also worth a stroll.
