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“ Bordeaux is my homeland, with its gentle breeze, its merciful sky, the generous gifts of its fertile soil, its long spring and its warming morning mists. The mighty tidal river, below the vine-bedecked slopes foams and boils as it surges towards the sea like a wave ”

Procession of famous towns, Ausonius

Chateau Ausone

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Chateau Ausone - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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15 October 2020

Saint-emilion’s château ausone: 2,000 years of history.

Words by Jane Anson

Photography by Tim Hall

Château Ausone is one of only four first growths – or premier grand cru classé A, as they are known on the Right Bank – within the Saint-Emilion classification. It’s the smallest of these exalted properties, and also the one with the oldest history. The name, which first appears in local archives in 1529, refers back to the Roman poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius, and remains of a Roman villa have been found at the feet of Ausone’s slopes.

We know Ausonius was awarded a consulate, the highest Roman honour, in Bordeaux in 379 and is best known for his poetry and writings about the region, in which he describes the ‘vine-clad hills’, and we know his parents-in-law came from St-Emilion. But we don’t know for certain that he owned the Roman villa whose remains lie at the base of these slopes.

Two years ago, remains of Roman walls and other artefacts were discovered when a plot was pulled up for replanting. A team of archaeologists is currently analysing the find, deciding if it will be worth further disturbing land valued at more than €8 million ($9.2m) per hectare.

Over the last five centuries only three families have owned this remarkable property

Today, Château Ausone is one of the most sought-after names in the wine universe, its prices reaching thousands of pounds for a single bottle. Six bottles of the 2015 vintage will cost you around £5,000 ($6,600). A single bottle of the 2005 will set you back just under £2,000 ($2,650) – if you shop around.

Ausone stands out in other ways, too. Across Saint-Emilion, the majority of estates are planted largely to the luscious, red-fruited Merlot  grape, but here at Ausone that grape is matched in more than half the vineyard by Cabernet Franc, which lends elegance, lift and violet-tinged aromatics that elevate the expression of the entire wine.

Over the last five centuries, only three families have had the stewardship of this remarkable property. Pauline Vauthier, winemaker and co-owner with her father Alain, is the 12th generation of Vauthiers to work the limestone-rich soil of these vineyards. She is involved in every detail – from upkeep of the dry-stone walls at the edge of the vineyard, to working with specialists to protect its historical remains and carrying out essential daily vineyard tasks. ‘My favourite thing is to be outside working,’ she says. ‘I’m in the office when I need to be, but I don’t enjoy the tastings and the travel that are essential to running an estate like this. Like my father, I prefer to be discreet.’

The photographs below were shot by Tim Hall for Club Oenologique in late summer 2018. For more of Tim’s work see here .

Built on ancient Roman foundations, Château Ausone is the smallest of the four Saint-Emilion first growths (or premier grand cru classé A), its wines among the most sought-after in the world

The name Ausone, which first appears in the archives in 1529, refers back to Roman poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius; remains of a Roman villa have been found at the foot of the property’s slopes

Local archives contain a document dating from 1341, written on behalf of King Edward III of England, giving permission for an Elie de Lescours to build a fortified house where Ausone now stands

The current château dates from the 17th century, when the name was changed from La Madeleine (as the hamlet in which it stands was once called)

Château Ausone has been owned over the centuries by just three families; the Vauthier family has now been in charge for 12 generations

“Take a brilliant vintage,” says Jane Anson of the 2005 (left), “add in the magic of Ausone, and you’ll start to understand what the limestone plateau of St-Emilion can deliver. This is all hidden power and fragrant layered fruit, so perfectly drawn that you can discern the spiced flesh of loganberry, raspberry, blueberry – luscious, persistent, mouthwatering.”

The 200-year-old cellars at Ausone hold wines dating back to 1849

(Above and below) “The magic of Ausone begins and ends with our terroir,” Pauline Vauthier says, referring to soils that are 10 per cent on the plateau and 90 per cent on steep southeast-facing slopes that offer excellent ripening for the grapes

The medieval village of Saint-Emilion, seen here from the château, is set on a hill, its cobbled streets honeycombed by a series of quarries from where the first limestone was extracted during the Middle Ages. The stone was used to support a religious community that built Europe’s largest monolithic church (above) into the hill

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Ric visits Château Ausone

King’s Tower, Saint Emilion, as seen from Ch Ausone

Château Ausone sits at the top of a limestone hill at just about the highest point of Saint-Émilion, truly befitting its Premier Grand Cru Classé A status as it offers the visitor a breathtaking view of the hills surrounding Saint Emilion, not to mention the old church as well as the King’s Tower. Immediately downslope from the château are rows of vines that produce the grand vin of Château Ausone, all 7 ha of it, as well as those of Château Moulin Saint-Georges (a.k.a. the poor man’s Ausone), also part of its stable. Another 40 ha of vines under the care of Château Ausone along the slopes are those of Château Simard, which was bought over by Alain Vauthier in 2008. Here and there, remnants of ancient Roman ruins are clearly visible and even the site of the château itself is built upon ancient Roman stone works, which are now the underground cellars of the château.

Did the poet Decimius Ausonius live here in the 4th century?

We were greeted on our arrival by a pair of greyhounds guarding the property. I was reminded of Robert Parker’s hostile encounter with a dog at rival property Château Cheval Blanc years ago but these hounds at Château Ausone were non-threatening, announcing our arrival to the current proprietress and winemaker Mlle. Pauline Vauthier, who has taken over from her father Alain, epitomising the current wave of female oenologists who are increasingly running the show in Bordeaux.

Gazing down from the edge of the hill, Pauline explained that the soil on the slopes comprises a mixture of limestone and clay, upon which the vines are planted at a density of 12,000 per ha, producing a mere 18,000 bottles (1500 cases) of the grand vin annually. Sitting high on the slopes, these vines are perfectly positioned to catch the morning light whilst allowing excellent drainage downslope in wet conditions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Château Ausone managed to avoid the debilitating frost of 1956 that badly affected other estates in Saint-Émilion.

While the plantings used to be 50-50, nowadays there is more cabernet franc at 70% with the remainder merlot , not unlike Cheval Blanc, although in bottle, the blend is usually about 60-40 proportion. Another 5000-9000 bottles of its second label Chapelle d’Ausone is produced annually. The average age of the vines is 60 years with the oldest being planted in 1906 (cabernet franc). Viticulture is organic as far as possible and the chateau avoids pumping, preferring to move the wine into fermentation vats via gravity.

Looking at the old town centre of Saint-Émilion from Château Ausone

Château Moulin St-Georges yonder

The cellars of Château Ausone are truly a sight to behold: dark, cavernous, naturally cool with walls that have been hewn and toiled for centuries by stonemasons who used to work in these limestone quarries. Housed within the small number of barrels there are the much-prized 2015 grand vin ageing away quietly, and I thanked my lucky stars to have landed a miniscule allocation of 3 bottles during the en primeur campaign earlier this year.

Mlle. Pauline Vauthier explaining the vinification process

We adjourned to an elegant drawing room decorated in the rococo style for tasting where we learnt that Château Ausone, given its unique heritage and the site’s long history, is a property protected nationally for conservation. We tasted first the 2009 Château Simard , a blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc, aged in concrete vats and totally unwooded, made for early drinking. Already sporting an evolved color, this wine displays a lovely earthy pungency with a forward balance of red fruits and wild berries with good concentration and acidity, producing a very clean feel though it finished on a stern note. Good for casual pour.

There goes one precious bottle of 2015 Château Ausone

This was followed by the 2015 Château Ausone that’s still in barrel, a blend of 60% cabernet franc with 40% merlot. This wine displays a fabulous deep impenetrable ruby in the glass, exuding a gentle bouquet of dark roses, red fruits and wild berries of excellent ripeness and purity, not at all overdone. Yet to put on weight but this wine is already harmonious with a feminine character, displaying silky textures with highly supple tannins and great linearity all the way to its lasting finish.

Look at the date on the label

This represents only the fourth occasion where I have had the chance to drink Château Ausone, as the wine is expensive and difficult to source on the open market. Memories of a supremely elegant 1995 (tasted 2007) and a powerful, masculine but youthful 1998 came flooding back (tasted in 2010), as did a delicious elegant and decidedly feminine 1986 just three months ago. This visit wraps up a fabulous time spent at some of the most exalted properties of the Right Bank and certainly will not be forgotten. I must thank Mlle. Pauline Vauthier for taking care of us personally at Château Ausone, and to FICOFI for making this trip possible.

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Chateau Ausone

Address: Château Ausone 33330 Saint-Emilion France

Telephone: +33 (0)5 57 24 70 26

Website: www.chateau-ausone-saint-emilion.com

Visits: By appointment only

Details: 1er Grand Cru Classé A, Saint-Emilion, 7ha, clay-limestone

Vineyards: Merlot Noir 45%, Cabernet Franc 55% History:

Ausone is situated on the southerly slopes of Saint-Emilion’s limestone plateau, just metres from the medieval village itself. From the Middle Ages to the 17th century it passed between three great wine dynasties: the Lescours family, the de Lescure family and most recently the Chatonnet-Cantenats. Today’s owners, the Vauthier family (Alain Vauthier controls the estate) can trace their ancestry back to Pierre Chatonnnet, who acquired the estate in 1690. The Château name is thought to be derived from the 4th century Roman poet Ausonius. He was born in Bordeaux, but there’s no evidence to suggest he ever lived on the estate.

Tasting notes:

2008 en primeur

2007 en primeur

2006 en primeur

2005 en primeur

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Château Ausone

Château Ausone is a wine estate in St Emilion on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. It takes its name from the poet Ausonius, who is thought to have owned a villa where the estate stands today – just outside the medieval village of St Emilion. Ausone’s vineyards sit atop St Emilion’s limestone plateau and extend in terraces down the côtes. There are just over six hectares of vines planted today, mostly Cabernet Franc along with Merlot . The team practice organic and biodynamic viticulture though without certification.

The estate belongs to the Vauthier family, led by Alain Vauthier and his children, Pauline and Edouard. In 1955, Ausone was ranked at the very top of the St Emilion classification – as Premier Grand Cru Classé A – alongside Château Cheval Blanc. In 2021, both Ausone and Cheval Blanc announced that they were voluntarily withdrawing from the classification.

Ausone is known for its structured, long-lived wines. A second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, was introduced in the 1990s. The Vauthier family also own a number of other properties nearby in St Emilion, including Château Moulin Saint-Georges , Château La Clotte and Château de Fonbel .

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Les-Artigues-De-Lussac

Artigues-de-Lussac is a town belonging to the Canton of North Libourne and part of the community of villages of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area. Its area spread over 1016 hectares and is located 5 km from Saint-Emilion. Today the town has 1,101 inhabitants, called the Artiguais and Artiguaises.

Néac is a town of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area and part of the Canton of North Libourne. Located 10 km from Libourne, it is also located 10 km from Saint-Emilion, on a hill that stands at 54 meters high, its area is 688 ha. Today the town has 377 inhabitants, and they are called Néacais and Néacaises.

Saint-Emilion

Saint-Emilion is a town belonging to the Canton of the Coteaux of Dordogne and part of 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion. It also belongs to the community of villages of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area. Located 40 km north-east of Bordeaux and 8 km from Libourne, it stands on the hillside north of the Dordogne valley. The town now has 1,876 inhabitants, including 200 intramural, called Saint-Emilionnais and Saint-Émilionnaises.

This is a historic village surrounded by vineyards, internationally renowned, visited by over a million tourists each year. It is part of the former Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion, territory on the list of World Heritage Sites since 1999 for its cultural landscapes.

Vignonet is a town situated on the edge of a loop of the Dordogne River, belonging to the Coteaux of Dordogne’s Canton and part of 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion and site listed as world heritage by UNESCO. Its area is 415 hectares and its located 7 km from Saint-Emilion and 12 km from Libourne. The town now has 495 inhabitants, called Vinitais and Vinitaises.

Saint-Pey-Darmens

Saint-Pey-d'Armens is a village in the Canton Coteaux de Dordogne and part of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion that is listed as world heritage landscape by UNESCO.

The municipality covers 420 hectares, and more than three quarters of this area - extending on both sides of the RD936 - is occupied by extensive vineyards. It is located 7.5 km from Saint-Emilion and 12 km from Libourne. The town has 203 inhabitants, called Peyrelais and Peyrelaises.

Sainte-Terre

Sainte-Terre is a town in the Greater Saint-Emilion Area and it is also part of the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne. Its area is 139 ha, and is located 8 km from Saint-Émilion. Today the town has 1,891 inhabitants, called the Saint-Terrois and Sainte-Terroises.

Saint-Etienne-De-Lisse

Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse is a municipality in the Coteaux de Dordogne Canton and part of 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion. Its area is 710 ha, and is located at 5 km from Saint-Émilion. The town now has 249 inhabitants, called Stéphanois. Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse is twinned with the city of Framsden in UK.

Saint-Christophe-Des-Bardes

Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes is a town in the Canton of North Libourne and part of 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion. It also belongs to the Community of the municipalities of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area. Its area is 780 ha and is located near Saint-Emilion (2 km). The town now has 443 inhabitants, called the Saint-Christophais.

Montagne is a town of the Great Saint-Emilion Area and part of the Canton of North Libourne. The village is 97 meters above sea level and is located 6km from Saint-Emilion. Its area is 2,670 ha. Today, the town has 1,542 inhabitants called the Montagnais and the Montagnaises.

Lussac is a town of the Greater Saint-Emilion area and the head town of the Canton of North Libourne. It is 9 km from Saint Emilion and its area is 2,343 hectares. Today, the town has 1,269 residents, and they are called the Lussacais and Lussacaises.

Puisseguin is a town of the Great Saint-Emilion Area part of the canton of North Libourne. It is located at 7.4 km from Saint-Émilion and its area is 1,725 hectares. Today the town has 873 inhabitants, and they are called the Puisseguinais and the Puisseguinaises.

Tayac is a town situated on the edge of a loop of the Dordogne, belonging to the Canton of North Libourne and part of the 22 villages of the community of parishes of the Greater Saint-Emilion. Its area is 722 hectares and it is located 13 kilometers from Saint Emilion and 18 kilometers from Libourne. The town now has 131 inhabitants, called Tayacais and Tayacaises

Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps

Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps is a town of the Great Saint-Emilion Area and belongs to the Canton of North Libourne. Located in the district of Libourne, it is 16 km from Saint-Émilion and has an area of 1,432 ha. Today the town has 724 inhabitants, and these are called the Petits-Palaisiens and Petits-Palaisiennes.

Francs is a town of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area and is also part of the Canton of North Libourne. It is 14km from Saint Emilion, on a hill culminating at 96 meters, and is spread over 359 hectares. Today the town has 190 inhabitants, called Francs.

Saint-Cibard

Saint-Cibard is a town of the Great Saint-Emilion Area part of the Canton of North Libourne. It is located on the crest line between the valleys of the Dordogne and the Isle at 108 meters above sea level and 15 km east of Saint-Emilion. Its area is 354 ha. Today the town has 179 inhabitants. The municipality gets its economy mainly on its agricultural and crafts.

Saint-Genès-De-Castillon

Saint-Genès-de-Castillon is located 50 km north east of Bordeaux, 7 km east of Saint-Emilion and 7 km north of Castillon-la-Bataille. The town is part of the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne.

The area of ​​the town is 680 ha; its territory lies at an altitude between 32 and 98 meters, but the majority remains above 90 meters. It is its hilly nature of its relief that allows Saint-Genès-de-Castillon to offer beautiful panoramic views.

They are 394 inhabitants and they are called Saint-Genésiens and Saint-Genésiennes.

Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguilhe

Saint Philippe d'Aiguilhe is a small town of 373 inhabitants located to the east of Libourne, in the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne. Its inhabitants are called the Saints-Philippois or Saints-Philippoises.

Covering a area of ​​587 hectares, it is mainly surrounded by the vineyards of the Côtes de Castillon and Puisseguin.

Located 13 km from Saint-Emilion, the town is crossed by the county road RD 123 between Castillon-la-Bataille and Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle. in the centre of the town, there is the romanesque Saint-Philippe’s church and a multi-service business (grocery, restaurant, bakery), Town Hall, a Post Office, a school, a multipurpose hall, a stadium and finally a tennis court.

Belvès-De-Castillon

Belvès-de-Castillon is a municipality of the Great Saint-Emilion Area and a part of the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne. It is located at about 10 km from Saint-Emilion and 16 km from Libourne, its area is 661 hectres. Today the town has 333 inhabitants, and they are called Belvésiens and Belvésiennes.

Gardegan-Et-Tourtirac

Gardegan-et-Tourtirac is a town of the Great Saint-Emilion Area and part of the Canton of Coteaux de Dordogne. It is located 20 km east of Libourne and 11 km from Saint-Emilion. Its area is 960 ha. Today the town has 286 inhabitants, and they are known as Gardeganais and Gardeganaises.

Saint-Sulpice-De-Faleyrens

Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens is a town situated along the Dordogne for about 10 kilometers, and belonging to the Canton Coteaux de Dordogne. One of eight town forming part of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion, listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1999 for its historical vineyard landscape. Its area is 1,817 hectares and its located 5 kilometers from Saint-Emilion. The town now has 1,379 inhabitants, called the Saint-Sulpiciens.

Saint-Laurent-Des-Combes

Saint-Laurent-des-Combes is a town of 262 inhabitants, part of the Saint Emilion Jurisdiction in the Canton Coteaux de Dordogne, it is located 3km south east of Saint-Emilion on high lands, over 300 m above sea level. its surface area is 386 hectares. Its inhabitants are called the Saints-Laurentais.

Saint-Hippolyte

Saint-Hippolyte is a small town located in the hills of the Greater Saint-Emilion Area, belonging to the Dordogne Coteaux Canton and part of the 8 towns of the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion. Its area is 444 hectares and it is located 4.6 km from Saint-Emilion and 10 km from Libourne. The town now has 138 inhabitants, called Hippolytains.

Saint-Hippolyte has remarkable architectural on the Ferrand plateau which is overlooking the Dordogne valley.

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Chateau Ausone

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CHATEAU AUSONE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.15 mi) Les Chambres d'Ovaline
• (0.31 mi) Hotel de Pavie
• (0.19 mi) Les Logis du Roy
• (0.15 mi) B&B Une Nuit a St Emilion
• (0.19 mi) Badon Boutique Hotel
• (0.11 mi) Les Belles Perdrix De Troplong Mondot
• (0.14 mi) Sous La Robe - Wine Lounge
• (0.18 mi) L'Huitrier-Pie - Camille & Soufiane
• (0.16 mi) Les trois fontaines
• (0.11 mi) Le Comptoir de la Rose

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Chateau ausone tours.

• Things to do

I only need accommodations for part of my trip

Visit Chateau Ausone

You'll soon see why this Saint-Émilion wine-making establishment is a hit with travelers. If you're searching for more to explore, Saint-Emilion Monolithic Church, Saint-Émilion Bell Tower and Collegiate Church of Saint-Emillion are in the area too. They won't take long to get to from Chateau Ausone.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Chateau Ausone

Tours & day trips.

Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé: Guided Visit Tour & Tasting

Saint Emilion Private e-Bike Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch

Saint-Émilion Wine Tour By Electric Bike, Lunch Included

Private wine trip to Saint-Emilion aboard vintage French presidential car

Private tour in Saint-Emilion, médiéval village and wine tasting

Private ride in the vineyards and wine tasting from Saint-Emilion

1-Day Private Wine Tour in ST-Émilion cellar circuit

Authentic Château Chatain Wine Tasting & Vines Leaves Hunting

Saint-Emilion Small-Group Electric Bike Wine Tour Tastings & Lunch from Bor...

Adventure & outdoor.

Saint Emilion: e-Bike Winery Tour and Picnic Lunch

Saint-Émilion Wine Tour By ELectric Bike, Lunch included.

Saint Emilion Half Day Ebike and Wine Tour with Picnic Dinner

From Saint-Emilion : Half Day Electric bike Wine Tour

From Saint-Emilion : Half Day Electric Bike Tour

Classes & workshops.

Verres-Tigineux workshop and tasting in Saint-Émilion

Private Cooking Class and Wine Pairing in a Chateau in Bordeaux

Wine course in Saint-Emilion followed by a tasting

Popular places to visit.

• Saint-Emilion Monolithic Church

Among the architectural highlights of St. Émilion is this one-of-a-kind church, which was carved out of limestone rock in the 12th century.

• Saint-Émilion Bell Tower

You can learn about the history of Saint-Émilion with a stop at Saint-Émilion Bell Tower. While in this quaint area, you can savor the wineries.

• Underground Pottery Museum

You can study the exhibits at Underground Pottery Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Saint-Émilion. While in this quaint area, you can savor the wineries.

• The King's Castle Keep

Learn about the local history of Saint-Émilion when you take a trip to The King's Castle Keep. While in this quaint area, you can savor the wineries.

• Le Donjon du Roy

You can learn about the history of Saint-Émilion with a visit to Le Donjon du Roy. While in this quaint area, you can savor the wineries.

• Cordeliers Cloister

You can learn about the history of Saint-Émilion with a trip to Cordeliers Cloister. While in this quaint area, you can savor the wineries.

Best Lodging Options Near Chateau Ausone

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Visit at Château Ausone, October 2022

Château Ausone was one of the two first wineries to be ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) in the original classification of Saint-Émilion wine in 1955, along with Château Cheval Blanc. At the 2022 edition, the château decided to withdraw from the ten-yearly St Emilion classification.

The Château is located west of the city of St. Émilion, at an altitude of 75 metres. The vineyard is composed of 7 hectares planted with a majority of Cabernet Franc and a smaller proportion of Merlot. The vines, planted across small terraces, spread over a limestone plateau. They are sheltered from the wind and enjoy a perfect East South-East exposure. Château Ausone was one of a few estates which escaped the frost of 1956, while its neighbours suffered the destruction of their vines. The average age of vines is fifty years, and some are one century old.

Château Ausone implements methods inspired by organic and biodynamic farming.

The estate produces a second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, which is made with grapes from young vines that will later produce the First Wine. The annual production of the Grand in and the second wine averages a little more than 2,000 cases.

Since the mid-1990’s the Vauthier family owns Château Ausone.

Alain Vauthier manages the estate with his daughter Pauline and his son Edouard.

Photo Credit Wine Gallery

For more information about Château Ausone please visit the presentation of Château Ausone with official photos: Château Ausone or visit the official website of the château:

https://www.chateau-ausone.fr/en

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8 Castles to Visit in California

California might not come to mind as a place with many castles, but The Golden State offers some beautiful, stately buildings that resemble castles and/or include "castle" in their names. Though none of them were built in the middle ages, these castles still wow and amaze with their beautiful builds and historic feels. From theme park castles to people's dream renovations, here are some of California's most amazing castles.

Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa , in Napa Valley, was created by winemaker Dario Sattui. It’s a meticulously recreated medieval Italian castle. Although his original intent was modest, the result is not. Sattui’s castle covers 121,000 square feet. It has 107 rooms with four separate levels underground and four levels above.

This castle really does feel like a real castle in Italy. It has a moat and a drawbridge, high walls, and towers. In the center is a courtyard. There’s a church, stables and there’s even a torture chamber in the dungeon.

Castello makes some pretty nice wines, too. And they throw the best parties in all of wine country.

Hearst Castle

At his peak, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was worth was $30 billion. In modern dollars, that would put him atop the list of the world’s richest people, with about 6 times more money than his nearest rival. It’s no wonder he could build an enormous house in a remote location, engage one of the era’s most sought-after architects and fill it with art treasures gathered from Europe.

Hearst told architect Julia Morgan he wanted to build a “little something,” on the hill, but by the time he was done, it was far from little. Hearst Castle sprawls over 68,500 square feet and contains 38 bedrooms. Like a proper castle, it’s set on a hilltop. But instead of a moat, it has swimming pools, two of them: The outdoor Neptune Pool (345,000 gallons) and the indoor Roman Pool (205,000 gallons).

Fortunately for those of us who can only gawk at what a really rich man can create, the castle is now a California state park and open to visitors.

Scotty's Castle

If it were anywhere else but Death Valley , this castle would probably have a different name. In fact, the biggest thing in the story of this desert oasis is the personality of Death Valley Scotty.

What’s even more curious is that Scotty didn’t even own the place, he just talked his friend Albert Mussey Johnson into building it. In the middle of the hottest place on Planet Earth.

According to the National Park Service’s history of the place, this is what Death Valley Scotty had to say about it: “The Hall of Fame is going up. We're building a Castle that will last at least a thousand years. As long as there are men on earth, likely, these walls will stand here."

So far, Scotty was right. You can tour Scotty’s Castle and find out more about its story when you visit Death Valley.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

This castle at Disneyland might have been even grander, but Walt Disney worried that anything larger would overwhelm his guests. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is based on Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany which was built in the late 1800s.

It’s only 77 feet (23 m) tall, but it looks bigger. Things get progressively smaller than they should all the way up to the turrets, making you think they’re further away.

This castle has a moat and a drawbridge. The bridge has been lowered only twice: On opening day in 1955, and again to unveil newly remodeled Fantasyland in 1983. And there's a hidden attraction inside it.

The Disney family coat of arms is above the castle entrance.

Magic Castle

It looks more like a Victorian-style house than a typical “castle,” and frankly, the magic is the big deal here, not the building it sits in.

The Magic Castle, located in Los Angeles, is first and foremost a private club for card-carrying magicians. If you can swing an invitation - or if you stay at the nearby Magic Castle Hotel, you can enjoy dinner and a magic show.

Sam's Castle

What do you do after an earthquake in San Francisco? If you’re attorney Henry Harrison McCloskey in 1906, you build a castle in nearby Pacifica.

McCloskey wanted a home that was earthquake resistant and fireproof. Architect Charles MacDougal designed a gray stone structure with details that resembled a stereotypical castle.

So why is it called Sam’s Castle? In 1959, Sam Mazza bought the house, which was showing serious signs of decay. A painting and interior decorating contractor, he restored it and filled it an eclectic collection of objects d’art. Some might call them “kitschy.” Oddly, Sam never lived there, but he did use it for parties.

Since Mazza’s death, the castle is run by the Sam Mazza Foundation and is open for tours.

Rubel Castle

Sandylibrarian / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

If you're looking to step back into medieval times, plan a trip to Rubel Castle. Though it wasn't constructed until centuries after the Middle Ages, the look and feel of the grounds make it seem like you're in that period. This grand abode took Michael Rubel, who the building is named after, and his farmhands over 25 years to build.

Today, people filter in from all over the world to visit this castle which has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places. It's even had some very notable guests, including Prince Philip and former president Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Lobo Castle

Courtesy of Lobo Castle

What once started as a regular, ranch-style log cabin is now a fairytale castle fit for any prince or princess. Lobo Castle is located in Lobo Canyon and sits on two and a half acres of property. It underwent renovations in 1999 and was finished in 2007. Natural stone was taken from the canyon and was used to build up the castle. The property features a guest tower and even a dungeon.

The castle is open for rental opportunities year-round and is a hotspot for engagement shoots. It has also appeared on television, gracing the screen on networks including MTV and The Food Network.

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HEARST CASTLE NOW OPEN FOR TOURS.

Hearst Castle

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Plan Your Visit

A museum like no other

William Randolph Hearst started to build a fabulous estate on his ranchland overlooking the village of San Simeon in 1919. He called the estate "La Cuesta Encantada" - Spanish for The Enchanted Hill. By 1947, the hilltop complex included a twin-towered main building, three sumptuous guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools.

The fanciful Gothic Study is the centerpiece of Hearst's private suite on the third floor of "Casa Grande" - the main building of the hilltop estate at San Simeon. He previewed his newspapers every night here before printing. The concrete arches were decorated by Camille Solon in 1934-35, but the historic Spanish ceiling dates from the early 1400s.

The world-famous outdoor swimming pool at Hearst Castle was refilled in August 2018 after two years of restoration and repair. With water that refracts light to create a brilliant turquoise hue, the Neptune Pool is a photographer’s delight.

Featured Tours View All »

Grand rooms tour.

Travel back in time and experience what it was like to be a guest at The Enchanted Hill.

Upstairs Suites Tour

Explore the upper floors of the architectural wonder called Casa Grande.

Cottages & Kitchen Tour

Tour some of the most personal rooms of the property and some of its most practical ones.

Julia Morgan Tour

This seasonal tour is a two-hour look into the woman behind the masterpiece.

The Perfect California Road Trip!

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Covid-19 Safety Measures

Before visiting, please make sure you read our COVID-19 safety measures page.

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