The Château de Beauregard (also sometimes called Maison Fizicat) is located at Saint-Genis-Laval, in the Rhône, about ten kilometers southwest of Lyon.
This is an old fortified house founded in the 14th century which was profoundly altered and especially embellished after its acquisition in 1526 by the banker Pierre de Gadagne, originally from Florence. He then made the estate his summer residence. The Fisicat family became the owner in 1661 and the Ricard family who succeeded them sold the site to the town in 1978.
Of the castle magnified by Pierre de Gadagne, only ruins remain, with the exception of the gardens, the 'orangery, ponds.
The park is henceforth a site dedicated to the promenade, vast of 4 hectares, arranged in terraces, and the plan conforms to the origin, in a Renaissance style. The old buildings of the castle were built against the dwellings of the village to highlight the gardens overlooking the countryside.
The entrance is to the north from where the main alley starts, near the old manager's house (Ricard house) and the old ditches. A first terrace is occupied by a landscaped garden composed of shrubs and trees of various species and by the ruins of the Villa des Gadagne which add to the romantic charm of the place. A monumental staircase leads to the lower terrace, which features an Italian garden with a pond. On this level is the orangery. Other terraces extend the park, with English gardens and orchards, in particular.
All the remains of the castle and the park are protected. Open daily, free entry. Information on +33 4 78 86 82 00.
