Owned by the Same Family for 1000 Years. Tour of a Real French Chateau with its Owner.

Join us on an exclusive journey through time as we explore the historic Château de Bonneval (Nouvelle-Aquitaine/South West of France), a stunning piece of French heritage that has been in the Bonneval family for an entire millennium. Guided by the current owner, Géraud de Bonneval, this intimate tour provides a unique glimpse into the chateau's rich history and remarkable preservation.
In this video, Géraud leads us through a lot of different rooms of the castle. We’ll step into the serene chapel, a testament to the family’s legacy and faith, and delve into the archives room where the pages of history come alive with tales of the past.
Experience the elegance of the bedrooms, each with its own unique charm and history. As we move through these personal spaces, Géraud shares anecdotes and family stories, connecting the past with the present.
This tour is more than just a walkthrough of a historic building; it's a journey through the lives and times of the Bonneval family. From architectural marvels to intimate family tales, the Château de Bonneval offers a rare window into a thousand years of history.
🔔 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄 for more exclusive tours and insights into the world’s most fascinating French historical castles.
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[@SoChateauxTV]

📁 Get our 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐏𝐃𝐅 "TOP 50 French Chateaux": en.sochateaux.com/top-50-french-chateaux

[@DesignedInNola]

people hate on generational wealthy families these days but thank god for families like yours preserving our precious history.

[@hopesprings4967]

I think that families that come from generational wealth are sometimes misunderstood, although I myself am quite prepared to disparage generational wealth when you have a bunch of no good, know nothing louts, that just flaunt their money and behave like baboons. I find these families that still inhabit the family seat take their duties very seriously nowadays. They are truly the keepers of history. Of course European history, also reeks of colonization and horrible crimes against humanity in other countries. Those are the horrors of those times. One cannot visit the sins of the father upon these people unless, of course, they are making those same sins themselves. I find it fascinating personally. I also watch, the American Viscountess, that married one of the Earls of Sandwich. I believe she is the second American, the first one being Viscountess Alberta. I hope I’m getting these titles correct. Being Canadian we tend to have close ties to both Britain and France. I am from Western Canada, and central Canada is more the French part of the country. Although the East Coast has provinces like New Brunswick, that also are very attached to the French. I admire this man for his humility, grace as well as his dedication to preserving and carrying on the family history. These are not the people you see on big yachts dripping in gold. These are the people that buy nothing but quality that lasts forever and instead of replacing it, they often repair it. THAT, is truly old money. Merci monsieur. ❤

[@teemum.9023]

I don't hate inherited wealth. That's what I want to give to my son. I hate Capitalism, which produces wealth exclusively

[@DesignedInNola]

@@teemum.9023 I love free market capitalism. It's empowered me to develop a design agency and 2 print shops and make more money than I could ever imagine for myself as a college drop out. I think you may be confusing capitalism with crony-capitalism and monopolies.

[@hopesprings4967]

@@teemum.9023 Yes! Brilliant, Capitalism is a failed system. I’d like to believe it came from a noble idea of expanding the middle class, my cynical/realistic side knows better. When Reagan introduced such a massive tax cut FOR the wealthy, that was the beginning of the end for the middle class. Without doubt, the wealthy elite own the politicians and write policy. Despicable.

[@JohnDoe-yq9rt]

Communists aren't people.

[@Lonesome__Dove]

I just love that this family has managed to keep this chateau in their family. Thats an amazing feat by itself

[@sodadrinker89]

They somehow managed the survive the French Revolution.

[@PresterMike]

I love it too

[@MudflyWatersman]

Not hard if you've got $$$$$$$$$$...... And somehow it doesn't get diluted over centuries. My mothers family had a fief in germany in meideval times....1100s - early 1700s. By 1700s there were too many family members to be supported by it....... So it was sold and the money was used to provide a scholarship fund to pay for education of family members. But that's the problem.... Wealth typically gets diluted through generations as more and more people must to live off of it.

[@philipcooper8297]

​@@MudflyWatersman It takes more than just money to make it. In many European countries, after WW1 and WW2, all those wealthy aristocrats were persecuted, stripped of their title and their property confiscated. So even when you have $$$$$$$, it still does not buy you peace.

[@jamesallison4875]

What in the world is going on here? This gentleman is so gracious and knowledgeable that the time passed quickly. The fact that he and his wife are living with four (more or less) centuries of well documented history is unusual. Wonderful tour, and merci bien, Monsieur. I will most likely dream about this chateau!

[@francinesicard464]

You mean 1000 years and more. The first existence of this castle dates back to 930, when a fortress was built, attested by a stone bearing this date and inlaid in the masonry of the tower. The fortress underwent alterations in the 13th century. Around the 18th century, it stopped being a defensive fortress and became a château de plaisance with extensive alterations and the addition of the Renaissance-style interior gallery, among many others.

[@_PJW_]

Noblesse oblige.

[@maestrahamsa2085]

He is the descendant of the owners

[@p33inspect0r]

You're just saying all that so he can let you move in

[@zeeshandogar9406]

Your opening statement got me laughing 😅

[@musicloverlondon6070]

When you consider the turbulent events in history that the family and chateau must have seen - plague, reformation, revolution, two world wars, etc, it really is an extraordinary achievement to have not only maintained the building, but to have retained ownership within the same family.

[@darrenlesueur4785]

Its far away from Paris and away from the border of any country so its location is pretty good for avoiding the path of war.

[@The1Mustache3]

Imagine what they did to keep it all those years. Think about it.

[@MegaMrgl]

Extraordinary indeed!

[@kimberlyearly8918]

It's so nice to see that the family actually lives there. So many big castles are either not lived in at all or used just for the public to visit. Hopefully, the son or any other children will keep it in the family and take as much care of it as the previous generations have.

[@nissinyves3095]

Appreciate both homeowners who allowed us to come into their beautiful home, an also the interpreter which gave this an authentic French feel, cause he himself is French, so thank you so much, I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. God bless you an your families. May you continue your bloodline in your secured historical beauty. ❤

[@clarekubovchikkubovchik6689]

What a wonderful man! To open his beautiful home to us all. His grasp on his family history was amazing. I especially enjoyed his family stories and sharing all his family pictures; the ones from a thousand years ago to present day. It made me feel I was in his family home that just happened to be a castle. Please extend my appreciation and thanks to him and his family.

[@laurismith198]

Your home is magnificent! All that history and beauty. Thank you for sharing.

[@michaelw.8614]

Spectacular château and history. It's mind-blowing that the same family has lived here for so many generations

[@rayn8740]

Another fantastic presentation. What an incredible history behind this beautiful family home. It's always a plus to have the owner conduct the tour, but how rare and wonderful to have a docent who tracks his lineage at the Château for the past millennium. Amazing! Thanks for the entertaining and enlightening tour.

[@louisegogel7973]

❤

[@user-nv1te9kb6s]

Շատ Օ,Քո չար? Բուն հայկական բառարմատներ են😅+բա հլը իմ բախտին,եղբայր Առյուծս էլ' նստած դիմավորեց,էդ կանգնել- մանգնել' չուզեց?Ալա Ասլան յան 6:10 😮+

[@debbieosborn9464]

Fabulous that one family has lived in this beautiful castle for decades. The beauty is astounding. So much history and so well preserved.

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

This was incredible! I really love the fact that the family lives and uses the entire chateau! You can tell that this chateau is bursting with life and love! Gorgeous!

[@michelleg7]

It amazes how this family had survived the french terror, and that their wealth is intact but having a castle fortified like that probably saved the family and its treasures.

[@jonimarchese7655]

Bonjour, thank you for sharing your family home/castle with us. It's absolutely beautiful, the rich history is fascinating. I love how it's remained in the family and has withstood the test of time.

[@louisegogel7973]

I agree! This was a very interesting tour, and if I get a chance, I’d love to see it in person.

[@diamondhair11]

You do not know how fortunate you are to have this wealth of knowledge of your family. I have been doing mine and my husbands genealogy for years now. I absolutely love the searching and finding out those little tidbits of information. If I were in your shoes I would be sitting every evening in the archive room reading every bit of information there is in all those drawers. Everything is so amazingly laid out for you. I absolutely love your family's story. What a jewel you have in your families' genealogy. You are now the keeper of the Chateau. I hope your son and his wife will carry on when it is their time. 1000 years is amazingly wonderful. Thank you for taking us through yours and your ancestors story. What a privilege you have.

[@bettierusso5410]

I completely agree! This is the stuff of dreams for all of us genealogists researching our families! How wonderful this was to watch!

[@KarinaRochshina]

Grande famille! Merci de garder l'histoire de votre famille. C'est incroyable!

[@johntower64]

🥵J'ai une petite maison en carton sous le pont qui n'attend que toi.😋

[@mariavaleria2257]

Que joia preciosa esse castelo! E que família valorosa !!!!

[@catherine1057]

Absolutely loved this one, how amazingly lucky/ blessed his family is to have such rich history, what a treasure. I enjoyed the dubbing, but would love to hear the original French speaker as well. My ancestry is from the Nouvelle France, ce serait agréable de lui écouter en français et aussi pratiquer la langue. Merci beaucoup pour cette Vlog et bonjour de la Californie.🌴☀️🙏🏻

[@vickigranacher3357]

Very wonderful that his ancestors were able to upcycle so many beautiful extraordinary objects from other disused castles and homes.

[@ElaJP3268]

This is absolutely amazing. You all are so blessed to be able to help save a part of the beauty that is France.

[@jekalambert9412]

This is one of the best tours on this channel. So many beautiful interesting objects, everything well preserved and displayed with elegance and grace. The commentary was very engaging. Thank you for posting!

[@maryevans8651]

How beautiful of you to share your family history. I am so fascinated that I have to watch it again - maybe more than once!

[@honoriacarrillo115]

Thanks a lot for showing us your beautiful castle. Everything inthere is grandiose, and majestic. Congratulations! You really own a historic jewel.

[@mariavaleria2257]

Que joia preciosa esse castelo! E que família valorosa !!!! E Dona Amélia , e Dona Martha ! uma brasileiras!!!🇧🇷❤️ fiquei emocionada com a imagem de Nossa Senhora Aparecida!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@tracypeters7027]

Oh wow! that was the best tour of a functional living castle I have ever had the privilege of seeing. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

[@joannecordelia]

C’est très incroyable! J’adore les décors! I’m from Iowa but have learned French for awhile. I love the mix of eras. They become one and are just beautifully crafted. I could spend all day there. Thank you for the tour. Would have loved to have seen other areas not so well known. Merci beaucoup! ❤

[@anandkmalik1]

I watched this fascinating KZbin video uploaded by a descendant of Bonneval family who owns a 1000 year-old French Chateau. The video tour, narrated by the dissident of the family member, brought the chateau's history to life with personal stories and anecdotes. As I was taking the virtually tour through this video and explored the grand estate, I felt a nostalgic feeling of getting transported to the glorious past of the Benneval marvelling at the family's legacy and the chateau's enduring beauty. It was indeed amazing. Absolutely great!!!!

[@be5952]

The best voiceover / translation I have ever heard. It makes the viewing so much better than the usual 'bush league' translations and closed captions.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Thank you for the tour of your stunningly beautiful home. And thank you for preserving the history of it for the rest of us. I literally gasped when I saw all those records.🤗🐝❤️

[@enriquehidalgo1825]

You had told us the very interesting history of that beautiful chateau. I could feel how proud you are as a descendant of so many generations who kept your home for centuries. Thank you for sharing this fantastic video.

[@josphinerajkumar6667]

Great and wonderful families for their desires to safeguard their heritage with great efforts. God bless you all.🙏

[@bentonjessup6803]

1/14/24- this is really cool! Something that you just don’t see much in the USA. . My kids will make the fourth generation to live on our farm.

[@perhapsme988]

Most gracious guide by the owner of the chateau. He and his family have been great custodians of their family home that they are obviously very proud. Thanks..

[@Linda-9037]

Beautiful is not a grand enough word to describe what I have just seen. It was breathtaking to see this chateau mesmerizing I was awestruck

[@RHampton]

What a blessing to have such exactly knowledge of one's family and stewardship over such a chateau. I hope efforts have been made to digitize the records.

[@manxhu6610]

he should get that data digitized in case of fire or some unknown disaster...that is a amazing treasure woth keeping for the future

[@MegaMrgl]

I have so many questions! Just amazing. How wonderful that all of this history stayed within your family. Thank you for sharing!

[@tyeteames7192]

Having enjoyed your channel often. I must thank you for providing a translation in English. My French is so weak . Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences of the world of France and its Chateau and gardens.

[@user-im8sx6zx5s]

Très beau château, belle histoire!❤(Osvaldo Cruz-SP-Brasil)

[@Slim953]

Thank you for a beautifully detailed history of your castle. It is absolutely gorgeous. How fantastic to be in the family for all those years. A real treasure.

[@CrazyArtistLady]

What a Fantastic home and thank you to So Chateau for the dubbing!

[@nicolehopkins2189]

I want to see EVERYTHING in the archive!!!!!! 😮❤

[@pfzt]

Wonderful video. Thank you for all your hard work to preserve your family history and therefore a piece of history for everyone of us.

[@ArevikBadalyan]

This is outstanding. Thank you for sharing

[@Happynlucky]

Merci, wonderful video with incredible history. I hope his son takes interest into preserving this history. You could see his pride in knowing that for a 1000 years they have survived many things yet the Chateau still stands.

[@irisheyes5890]

The carved doors and furniture is just outstanding! Thank you for sharing - Merci beaucoup!

[@katherinebopp2021]

Compleately breathtaking. The compressive history of the chateau is so very interesting.

[@jeinadragonia6843]

Tres bien, magnifique!!! Here's to the next 1000 years. I must visit :) Merci x

[@pammienakh]

Excellent vid. Love the background information along with the tour . Well done!

[@bettierusso5410]

I would truly love to visit and stay here someday! I could just lock myself in the Archival room and not come out for a week!!! This man is very sweet and generous, allowing us to come into his home and take a tour! Is this wonder still available to visit ?? I LOVE the carved 1000-year-old trunk! I just wish he would have told us what was and is kept in it??? Thank you so much for doing this!

[@lucindajennings148]

😊 very interesting. How wonderful that all that history is preserved. Beautiful chateau.

[@davewesley11]

Loved it I can only dream of living in such a place .. Thank you for sharing.

[@wateracumen-vs1bx]

Thank you for your perseverance and preservation

[@rawlsmar]

Incredible beauty! Really enjoyed the tour and history. May your family be blessed with many many more generations!!

[@jefflawrentz1624]

That was incredible! I loved the mantle incorporating a part of the bed of Diane de Partiers bed. There are so many interesting things in this castle I’m going to have to watch it again. Thank you for this wonderful tour!

[@christinajones3022]

You are so lucky to have your genealogy completely done for you. Your home is amazingly beautiful.

[@mariposa5900]

You're. Wife and Daughter in Law are very pretty !!!!!! The. Men. In the PORTRAITS are very Good. Looking !!!!!! All. The. Bedrooms. And. Rooms. Are very different ,in color, shape, form !!!!! The windows do make it so Charming, open and fresh !!!!! Everything looks so clean and new , shiny !!!!! Thank you for letting us into your home , its very kind of you !!!!!! It is truly amazing CASTLE. One of a kind. !!!! TERESA , HAYWARD CALIFORNIA USA

[@chandarussell]

Amazing place. The incredible art work, be it wood carved doors or chests, tapestries, paintings, etc. are stunning. I’d love to see them. To have a family chateau that has been in one family for a thousand years is remarkable.

[@Heru2088]

Magnifique, Powerful Family history, Gorgeous Home, 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🌟⭐️💯👑👍💎.

[@tzarinaruths.2610]

Wonderful & informative tour! When I get to France this has just gone on my "myst stop here" list. Thank You Sir for sharing your home, history & stories about your beautiful home & entertaining presentation.

[@Raxx777]

what a lovely home- thank you for sharing it with us

[@josiahturner8305]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@swirlcrop]

This is a truly great historical video.

[@1babbles1]

Wow. Simply magnificent!

[@mytube-10]

This was wonderful! So informative! The history of this castle is so vast and so interesting! I LOVE THIS, THANK YOU❣❣❣

[@dougmoore8314]

Thank you Sir, very enjoyable tour of your magnificent home.

[@CrMizer]

Beautiful. Thank you

[@raepaul8158]

Amazing rooms, and a wonderful chateaux! Thanks for sharing

[@mariavilaneidevieiracosta5450]

What an incredible history behind this beautiful family home. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

[@iohanis1]

As a Brazilian, I was amazed when I heard the name of Minas Gerais mentioned in the images of the chapel, along with our Lady and patron saint, Nossa Senhora de Aparecida! 💙💚💛

[@tiffanyspence6531]

Beautiful!!! I will most definitely come to see this place when I'm there! Thank you for the English subtitles 🥰

[@Lonesome__Dove]

This is absolutely incredible.

[@clarefoskett9959]

I enjoyed this greatly, thank you.

[@carmendaniel3734]

Thank you sir, for sharing with us. You have a beautiful home.❤

[@erenkur3832]

I did not know Humbaracı Ahmet Paşa was Claude Alexander Comte de Bonneval. Waw. He is an important person in Turkish history, we have heard his name in schools. It must be good to have an ancestor like him

[@evelynclifford2180]

Magnificent tour thank you

[@arpitsh246]

More than the external threats that may have come to the integrity of this Chateaux; the internal family stability over 1000 years is noteworthy. Usually; internal family dynamics over generations together matter the most for the preservation, maintenance and love for ancestors and history of the family. Even though there is mixing of cultures and ethnicity, that deep desire to preserve and respect what ancestors have left is unbelievably rare.

[@teodor3318]

Greetings from Serbia! We love your Dokus.Great storys!

[@Jormunguandr]

So much history and art. Kinda cozy.

[@toddbonin6926]

What a magnificent treasure and fascinating family. I hope I get to see this castle someday.

[@briannoe592]

Wow! Beautiful, I can’t wait to travel to France to visit many Chateaus.

[@PatriceBoivin]

Impressionant, merci d'avoir partagé

[@katiemulcahy1]

Just so beautiful! 🥰

[@lynnegunn3478]

So very beautiful thank you

[@spikeyapplesseashells9233]

This has to be the best tour of a castle ever. The way the owner explained things was clear. If only I cud visit it. I'll just dream 😊😊. Thank u from Fiji for the wonderful amazing video. The architecture was brilliant and amazing. I cud just walk around thru this castle and feel I'm back in time.. Love it. 🌹💛❤️💛🙏💕

[@renatob9909]

I would recommend to scan all those archive documents and keep them on some server hosts in the cloud

[@joanpellillo2981]

Thank you for the tour ! Beautiful History!

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

Wow! Look at the wood worm holes on that beautifully carved wall panel.

[@ChloeLukich]

Incredible. To build a castle/home and have your family live there for hundreds and hundreds of years… wow

[@conniekingery4837]

Amazing Bless you and your family history Wonderful 😊

[@susansheilaesteves2091]

Thank you for sharing

[@dinhhoangtu311]

Beautiful castle. Thanks for sharing!

[@emilypenick9414]

Merci for the lovely tour!

[@waveswa8168]

I love, love, love and appreciate the effort to translate these to English.

[@4WDIESEL1]

wonderful, thank you

[@tassiegirl1991]

Very interesting made more so with personal knowledge of his family history to explain to the audience. It must be wonderful to have all this family records stored so beautifully to scan through on a cold winters day or two or more hopefully whilst wearing cotton gloves.

[@nativetexson]

Stunning

[@jcbdialon8516]

Thank you sir❤ for sharing ur family history

[@taniakazanova8926]

Красивый замок и все в нем создано с любовью и со вкусом в нем течет жизнь. Спасибо за прекрасный рассказ обзор этого замка. Супер

[@pmm3112]

Great tour! Awesome castle. Lots of Orange!!!🍊 The paintings above the doors are called a Trumeau despite a Trumeau often having a mirror with a painted panel above it, they also are placed over doors