Living Heritage: When Wood Revives Château de Sancerre
- Sally Put
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
A Château Steeped in History
Perched atop a rocky spur overlooking the Loire Valley, the Château de Sancerre traces its origins to the medieval Counts of Sancerre. Though five of its original six towers were dismantled in 1621 during religious conflicts, with only the “Tour des Fiefs” surviving, the château remained majestic enough to grace countless wine labels.
Rebuilt in 1874 on these medieval foundations in the Louis XII style, the château later became part of the Marnier‑Lapostolle collection. It was closed to the public for 150 years, until it recently found new life under Audrey Dumont and David Chicard. Through Collectible.House, they acquired and transformed it starting in 2022.
Now reborn as Les Hauts de Sancerre, this 4.5‑hectare estate, including the Château and the adjacent Tour des Fiefs, offers eight luxurious suites, a wine library, art exhibitions, a spa, a gym, a pop-up restaurant, and curated vineyard experiences.
Reviving Heritage with Segato Stromboli
At the centre of this transformation is Di Legno’s Segato collection, specifically the Stromboli planks. This weathered French oak, honed to reveal its natural grain, texture, and patina, echoes the château’s centuries-old character. Laid in classic herringbone, the floor creates a tactile, lived-in canvas that connects past with present.
Segato celebrates imperfection. Knots, veining, and brushed surfaces aren’t flaws: they are the marks of life. The Stromboli finish enhances these details, grounding contemporary interiors in centuries of tactile memory. Want to explore more? The full Segato range reveals layered finishes, from deep brushing to open-grain textures. Each plank becomes a chapter in a living story.
A Designer’s Vision
Interior architect Jérôme Lescrenier (JLAI, Brussels) led the aesthetic transformation with a clear mission: “We invited light, purity, and serenity into this space”.
Structure and space: he preserved the château’s asymmetrical layout and neo-Gothic volumes, while opening walls and rebalancing proportions to create a lighter flow.
Materials palette: natural stone, fine woods like Segato Stromboli, and soft muted fabrics were layered with care. The herringbone oak floor adds warmth and rhythm to the living spaces and corridors.
Artful conversation: under the art direction of Stanislas de Poucques, the interiors host textile works by Emma Terweduwe and textured paintings by Roan van Oort. Together, they unite heritage with contemporary expression.
Culinary Meets Cultural
At only 21 years old, Arnaud Münster (Top Chef S15) leads a 16-seat pop-up restaurant within the château. He offers seasonally-driven menus rooted in the Sancerre terroir, including a tasting menu with curated wine pairings.
Meanwhile, the wine library in the 12th-century cellar enriches the guest experience. Exhibitions, such as Vasarely, aim to further position the estate as a cultural destination.
Living Heritage in Practice
Heritage made walkable: guests stroll through medieval architecture, with oak-hued floors that resonate with centuries of history.
Design that speaks: the palette, materials, and natural light create an atmosphere that is both elegant and respectful of its origins.
Art, wine, cuisine, wellness: all converge to create a layered experience where heritage is not preserved but brought to life.
Explore More
Segato Collection: browse finishes, textures, and real-life projects that tell stories through wood.
Project gallery: view high-resolution visuals of the Stromboli floor at the château interiors.
Final Reflection
The revival of Château de Sancerre is not just about preservation. It is about creating dialogue. Through our Segato Stromboli and intentional design, history finds its voice again. At Di Legno, we don’t simply install floors, we craft the stage for stories to continue.
Comments