The modern-style empty staircases of Château de Cormatin

In the heart of Cormatin, Saône-et-Loire, lies Château de Cormatin, a 17th-century chateau on an island of the Grosne river. Built between 1606 and 1612, the chateau showcases a unique mix of Renaissance and modern-style, with some rare details. One of the oldest empty staircases in France can be found in the adjoining north wing of the chateau. The ground floor of this wing retains its wooden fireplaces, wainscoting, French-style painted ceilings, furniture, paintings, and artwork.

One of the oldest ceilings in this wing is the sky-themed ceiling in the room of curiosities. Château de Cormatin was officially classified as a Monument historique in 1862, and was later classified again in 1903. The gardens, covering twelve hectares, features a labyrinth of boxwood and a central pavilion, built in 1990.

Château de Cormatin is open to the public every day from April to November, including Sundays and holidays. A partial visit includes a free visit of the 1900 rooms and the park, while a complete visit offers a guided tour of the 17th-century apartments and a free visit of the 1900 rooms and the park.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons