Chateau Woolsack, Allee du Duc de Westminster, Landes, France.
Chateau Woolsack also known as The Woolsack is located near the town of Mimizan, in the Landes, on the banks of Lake Aureilhan.
It is a hunting lodge erected in 1911 by the Duke of Westminster, who was charmed by the region, both its coastline and the surrounding conntryside, where he liked to organize hunting parties.
The architecture of the building evokes the Tudor-style buildings that British settlers adopted in South Africa. The chateau takes its name from the residence of writer Rudyard Kipling in Cape Town, by the same architect.
In an area protected for its ecological wealth, the castle was a popular holiday resort of the European aristocracy, invited by the duke, but also celebrities such as Coco Chanel, Salvador Dalí or Charlie Chaplin.
A village of cosy bungalows to house servants was built in the park and Lady Grosvenor, aunt of the Duke of Westminster, installed in another area trailers for some guests, prefiguring luxury campsites.
Burned in 1947, the castle was rebuilt identically. Sold by the Duke of Westminster soon after, it is still privately owned today. It cannot be visited, but its surroundings can be a pleasant walk.
Chateau Woolsack, Allee du Duc de Westminster, Landes, France.
Chateau Woolsack also known as The Woolsack is located near the town of Mimizan, in the Landes, on the banks of Lake Aureilhan.
It is a hunting lodge erected in 1911 by the Duke of Westminster, who was charmed by the region, both its coastline and the surrounding conntryside, where he liked to organize hunting parties.
The architecture of the building evokes the Tudor-style buildings that British settlers adopted in South Africa. The chateau takes its name from the residence of writer Rudyard Kipling in Cape Town, by the same architect.
In an area protected for its ecological wealth, the castle was a popular holiday resort of the European aristocracy, invited by the duke, but also celebrities such as Coco Chanel, Salvador Dalí or Charlie Chaplin.
A village of cosy bungalows to house servants was built in the park and Lady Grosvenor, aunt of the Duke of Westminster, installed in another area trailers for some guests, prefiguring luxury campsites.
Burned in 1947, the castle was rebuilt identically. Sold by the Duke of Westminster soon after, it is still privately owned today. It cannot be visited, but its surroundings can be a pleasant walk.