The history of Château La Grave Béchade
Ideally located at the crossroads of Gironde and Dordogne, this timeless estate where luxury, elegance and nature harmonise is the perfect place to get together with family, friends or colleagues. At the heart of its vineyard, 150 years of history open their doors to you.
In 1876, Abdon Bechade, who was deeply attached to his native region, built his beautiful mansion in Baleyssagues, not far from Duras. A senior civil servant in the French Republic during the second half of the 19th century, mayor of the commune and councillor for the canton, he envisioned a haven of peace where he could come to recharge his batteries.
With little information available about the estate, the village elders say that, from its construction until the 2000s, it was always a diversified farm, growing vegetables and fruit and raising animals. Even today, you can still see beautiful brass ox and horse heads decorating the buildings where the old stables and barns used to be. The reception hall was an open hall where harvested produce was sold and exchanged. As the roads were difficult to navigate in winter, the estate was an important place of life.
A cousin of the King of Morocco purchased the estate in the 1950s. He was the one who lived on the estate the longest. Passionate about history and wine, he transformed the château and other buildings into what they are today, establishing his position and commercial strength. He created his own marketing entity and the estate became a château. ‘Château’ from his wine produced on the estate, ‘la Grave’ from his first postal address and ‘Béchade’ from the name of its builder. He closed the hall to turn it into a reception room where he could easily entertain family and friends. The barns, stables and lodgings were joined together to create the vats (for making wine) that still exist today.
Between 2000 and 2010, the 120-hectare estate was devoted exclusively to wine-growing. The reputation of its wines was then at its peak.
In December 2014, the estate was purchased by Mr Burrus, a renowned French chocolatier. Since 2015, the estate has undergone innovative changes. Already the owner of the “Pépinières et Noisetiers de Guyenne” nursery adjacent to the property, the land at La Grave Béchade has enabled the continued development of hazelnuts, a highly prized fruit. La Grave Béchade is changing its farming practices, with viticulture giving way to nut cultivation. For the sake of the history and reputation of its wines, 21 hectares of vines are being retained. These surround the château. The vines are in the process of converting to organic farming for an ‘organic’ vintage in 2023. Currently rated High Environmental Value 3, the excellence and prestige of our red and white wines continue. You can discover them during visits and tastings, available throughout the year.
For the first time in its history, the mansion is no longer a primary residence, and Château La Grave Béchade is now open to the public. The timeless Napoleon III style of the château can now be experienced during a seminar, weekend, holiday, or reception (wedding, etc.).
In 2018, the château shop was opened, where wines and other delicacies (sweets, spreads, bars, etc.) await you all year round.
Rental of Château La Grave Béchade and/or the holiday cottage
Book an exceptional location at the heart of green tourism and its vineyards. Experience luxury and French elegance for a weekend, a week or longer, depending on your desires. For your utmost comfort, the entire estate will be at your disposal.
The one-hectare park, tennis court, 8 m x 16 m outdoor swimming pool heated from May to September with pool house, and sauna in the house. The adjoining living room, French billiards room, dining room and historic charm.
Five beautiful private room, air-conditioned bedrooms, including one double. Wi-Fi network.
Useful information :
- Capacity : 10 adults + 2 children
- Not accessible to people with reduced mobility
- Bed linen and towels included
- Cleaning included and beds made
- Pets not allowed
The reception hall
The former market hall, now a reception room, is the perfect venue for weddings, seminars, birthdays and christenings, offering a setting that is bucolic, rustic and contemporary all at once.
The exposed stonework and beams and the glass entrance combine charm and modernity. It is equipped with a bar, a fully fitted kitchen, a fireplace, tables and chairs for your comfort.
Are you looking for a place steeped in history to celebrate a special moment in your life? The reception hall at Château La Grave Béchade is the perfect place to combine personalisation with an enchanting setting.
200m²
120/130 pax
250 pax
180 pax
The wine cellar
An atmosphere steeped in history, stone walls, stained glass windows: this magnificent room, which was once used to store barrels of wine aged in oak casks, is now the perfect venue for secular ceremonies, for example.
This indoor room can protect your events from bad weather, serve as a dedicated space for children and nannies, or even be used as a beautiful meeting room. It’s up to you to use it however you wish to create an event that reflects your image!
150m²
120 pax
150 pax
130 pax
The Château hall
50m²
20-25 pax
50 pax
A sumptuous room bathed in sunlight. The Château room can be used for a variety of purposes: small meetings, business lunches or dinners, family meals and many other intimate occasions.
The Château Room measures approximately 50m² and can seat up to 25 people. It is the perfect setting for all kinds of special occasions, whether personal or professional.