Rhone Alps, Rhône, Morancé, France

A39989EHO69 - Historic Renaissance Manor House - Morancé, Beaujolais
A Rare Piece of French Renaissance Heritage
Dating from 1574, this extraordinary "Maison Forte" represents one of the finest examples of French Renaissance domestic architecture in the Pierres Dorées region. Built along ancient Roman trading routes in an area historically known as "Les Templiers," this remarkable property combines authentic 16th-century craftsmanship with the timeless beauty of golden limestone architecture.
Architectural Significance
The manor showcases the sophisticated integration of Italian Renaissance principles with French building traditions that characterised the late 16th century. The date 1574 was carved into one of the original chimneys, confirming its construction during the height of the French Renaissance when Lyon had become "the most Italian of French cities" due to extensive trade and cultural exchange with Italy.
The building's most striking feature is its central stone staircase, described by architectural historians as "straight in the Italian manner, with Tuscan half-columns and beautiful vaults in golden stone." The carved capitals display concentric circular moldings characteristic of the French interpretation of classical orders, while the semicircular arches create an elegant loggia typical of Renaissance manor houses.
Interior Features
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall: Entry through the original Renaissance door leads into a magnificent hallway featuring the original limestone floor and a stunning wall-end column with intricately carved concentric capitals and base, all executed in the luminous golden limestone for which the region is famous.
Living Room (41m²): This impressive reception room features terracotta floor tiles and provides access to vaulted cellars beneath an adjoining building. The room's centrepiece is a monumental golden limestone fireplace, complemented by trompe l'œil murals that experts believe were executed in the first half of the 17th century, showing clear Italian Renaissance influence in their motifs and execution.
Kitchen and Dining Room (41m²): Retaining its original golden limestone floor, this space showcases a magnificent period fireplace and the original carved limestone sink - a rare survival that demonstrates the quality of craftsmanship throughout the property.

First Floor:
Accessed by the beautiful central stone staircase, the first floor contains two substantial bedrooms, each measuring 41m². The ingenious Renaissance design places the bathrooms and toilets within the tower structure at convenient half-level landings as you ascend the staircase, creating both practical access and architectural harmony. These rooms feature original Renaissance doors, authentic period fireplaces in golden limestone, magnificent coffered ceilings (plafonds à la française) with impressive ceiling heights of 3.5 meters, a built-in period bookcase and storage, an original limestone sink and oak and pitch pine parquet flooring.

Second Floor:
The upper level houses two additional bedrooms of 41m² each, characterised by dramatic cathedral ceilings with exposed structural beams, built-in storage cupboards and parquet floors.

Additional Structures
The "Jacobine" Guest House: A charming independent building of approximately 30m², this structure is built over a beautifully preserved vaulted cellar. The building includes a 16m² bedroom, 7.5m² bathroom, 2m² shower room, and 2m² kitchen, making it perfect for guests or potential rental income.
Historic Outbuildings: The property includes approximately 70m² of additional outbuildings, featuring well-preserved vaulted structures and a historic bread oven - testament to the self-sufficient nature of Renaissance manor houses.

Grounds and Setting
The manor sits majestically on over 3000m2 of mature parkland, offering complete privacy and tranquility. The landscaped grounds provide a perfect setting for the golden limestone architecture, with mature trees and gardens that have been carefully maintained over the centuries.

Historical Context and Provenance:
The Palerne Family Legacy
The property's most fascinating period of ownership was under the Palerne family, who acquired it in 1600 and held it for nearly two centuries. The Palernes were originally from the Forez region and rose to significant prominence in Lyon's social hierarchy.
Marcellin Palerne, documented as the owner in 1661, held the prestigious position of criminal clerk to the Sénéchaussée of Lyon and later became a royal notary and prosecutor.
The family's connection to the property as their "maison des champs" (country house) illustrates the Renaissance practice of wealthy Lyon families maintaining estates in the beautiful Beaujolais countryside for respite from city life.
Charitable Heritage
Historical records suggest the property may have originally functioned as a charitable institution or hospice, reflecting the Renaissance tradition whereby wealthy families provided care for the needy as both a Christian duty and a mark of social standing. A period fireplace plaque bears the Latin inscription "CHARITAS," the traditional symbol of charity, while the property was known in some documents as "La Charité du Pain béni de Pâques" (The Charity of Easter Blessed Bread). This charitable function would have been typical of prosperous manor houses of the era, where the landed gentry demonstrated their piety and social responsibility by offering shelter and sustenance to the less fortunate. Such institutions played a vital role in the social fabric of 16th and 17th-century France, bridging the gap between private wealth and public welfare in rural communities.

Architectural Documentation:
The property was formally recognized for its architectural significance when it received a bronze medal from the Académie de Villefranche-en-Beaujolais in 1975 during the European Year of Architectural Heritage, acknowledging the restoration work that had preserved its Renaissance character.

Location and Regional Context
The Pierres Dorées Region
Morancé sits at the heart of the Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) region, often called "Little Tuscany" for its warm, honey-colored limestone villages and rolling vineyard landscapes. The local stone, quarried from numerous small local quarries until the early 20th century, gives the entire region its distinctive golden glow, particularly beautiful in the warm afternoon light.

Wine Heritage
The property is located within the prestigious Beaujolais-Villages AOC, where the renaissance of terroir-driven winemaking has elevated the region's reputation internationally. The area has received the "Vignobles et Découvertes" quality label from the French Ministry of Agriculture and Tourism, recognizing its exceptional wine tourism offerings.
Connectivity
Despite its peaceful rural setting, the property enjoys excellent connectivity:

Just 20-25 minutes to Lyon city center via the A89 autoroute
10 kilometers to Villefranche-sur-Saône, the regional commercial hub
Multiple rail connections within 3-6km at Marcilly-d'Azergues, Anse, and Lozanne
Easy access to Lyon-Saint Exupéry International Airport

Investment and Lifestyle Opportunity
This property represents far more than a historic home - it's a gateway to authentic French living in one of the country's most beautiful and increasingly prestigious regions. The combination of Renaissance architecture, wine country location, and proximity to Lyon creates exceptional value for both lifestyle and investment purposes.
The growing recognition of the Beaujolais region's quality wines, combined with its "Little Tuscany" tourism appeal and UNESCO World Heritage proximity (Lyon's Renaissance district), positions this property in an area of significant cultural and economic importance.
For those seeking to own a piece of authenticated French Renaissance heritage while enjoying modern accessibility and the authentic culture of golden stone wine villages, this manor house represents a truly exceptional opportunity.

*The costs of this transaction are payable by the seller.