In 1422, Charles VII granted this land to John Stuart as repayment for services rendered. Returned to French Crown in 1672, they were then given by Louis XIV to the Duchess of Portsmouth, mistress of the English king, Charles II. Secluded in a magical verdant spot on the shores of a lake, this residence inspired Alain-Fournier for the party in his novel Le Grand Meaulnes. Nowadays, visitors can prolong their stay by spending the night in one of the château guestrooms.