Discover
the Domain of Saint-Marcel-de-Félines

1000 years of history and almost as many keys opening onto the world

Nestled in the hills between Roanne, Forez, and Beaujolais, lies the Domain of Saint Marcel de Félines. At its center is the almost thousand-year-old castle. It is bathed in light and draws its tranquil strength from its greenery and forest setting.

Under the leadership of its successive owners, the Domain has been enriched over time with new facilities to take on the appearance we know today.

While the Domain of Saint Marcel de Félines is a place of history, it is not a museum. It is a vibrant and open space, fully invested in the present day to fulfill its role of hospitality, memory, and inspiration. Let yourself be guided!

The Domain of Saint-Marcel de Félines :
a heritage in the 21st century

The first known document on Saint Marcel dates from 1095
Gaston and Albert de Saint Marcel pledge allegiance. From a fortified house in Beaujolais, proudly facing the Forez, it slowly became a castle, with its current appearance from the 16th century.
At the end of the 16th century
Under the influence of the owner of the Bâtie d’Urfé, Jean de Talaru, from a very old noble family of Lyon, further embellished Saint Marcel and enriched it with Renaissance elements. He also created the clos, this garden of approximately 4 hectares, decorated with 2 pavilions and which offers a long terrace which allows to admire the breathtaking view towards the plain and the Forez mountains to the south and west, the Madeleine mountains to the north.
In the 17th century
Claude de Talaru decorated several rooms of the château with exceptional, perfectly preserved painted woodwork. Saint Marcel thus continued its evolution from generation to generation, often transmitted by women, until 1860. At that date, it was the Piston de Saint Cyr family, (from which Mary-Ange Hurstel descends), heirs of an illustrious general of the Empire of the same name, who acquired Saint Marcel. For more than 40 years, its current owners have continued this ambitious restoration task.
In the 20th century
The castle and all of its decorations have been listed since the 1960s.
Visite de château du moyen âge dans la Loire
Château du moyen age dans la Loire

The Domain of Saint-Marcel de Félines,
Treat yourself to a break outside of time in a micro-world

Plan du domaine de St Marcel de Félines et son château

Amphitheatre

The open-air theater

The Canal Pavilion

The  canal

 

The boxwood labyrinth and its rooms

The chapel entrance to the enclosure

The orchard

The boulingrin

The Lions' Pool

The boulingrin pavilion

The Linden Tree Alley

The vegetable garden

The parnasse

The western commons

The gallery

The inner courtyard of the commons

 

The East Commons

The Angel's House

The castle

The large rectangle

The church

The visitor entrance tower

The Domain of Saint Marcel de Félines is a comprehensive and varied site comprising a castle, outbuildings, a garden, a conservation orchard, a canal, an amphitheater, an open-air theater, a chapel, and several houses scattered throughout the surrounding area. It immerses you in absolute tranquility with breathtaking views of magnificent landscapes and forests.

The need and desire to preserve the family dimension of Saint Marcel, the fundamental driving force of the domain, led us to organize tours within a specific framework.

Throughout the year, Saint Marcel offers many opportunities to return: events, shows, a plant festival, or spending a few days in one of the gîtes.

Its many facets allow it to fulfill its mission of welcoming visitors of all ages, while also offering numerous activities to relax, entertain, and inspire you.

It is happy to host your event for residents for the day: weddings, corporate seminars, or tailor-made events.

The Domain of Saint-Marcel de Félines, committed to the future

Firmly focused on the pursuit of quality, the Domain is committed to a responsible approach. Plots treated biodynamically, environmentally friendly constructions (a recently built barn received the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes FIBOIS 2021 prize), particular attention is paid to the restoration of wetlands, the planting of hedges, the development of a richer and more endogenous fauna and flora… so many concrete commitments implemented every day in St Marcel.

Visit the Domaine of Saint-Marcel de Félines

Guided tour of the castle

From July 14 to August 24 (every day)

For the European Heritage Days

September 20 & 21, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Self-guided tour of the enclosure

From July 14th to August 24th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (daily)

except July 30th and August 2nd

Daily for groups* (reservation required)

Opening hours

from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrée des visiteurs du château de St Marcel de Félines
Visite des jardins du domaine de St Marcel de Félines

Prices

Guided tour of the castle

  • Adult: €7
  • Children under 12: free
  • Teenagers 12 to 18: €3.50
  • Group*: €6

Visite du clos

  • Adulte : 5€
  • Enfant de moins de 12 ans : gratuit
  • Adolescent de 12 à 18 ans : 2,5€
  • Groupe *: 4€

* Group of 20 people or more

Coming to the Domain of Saint-Marcel de Félines

  • 55 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, 45 minutes from Lyon, and 35 minutes from Saint-Étienne
  • 2.5 kilometers from the A89 and A72 motorways,
  • less than 1 kilometer from the RN82
  • 29 kilometers from Roanne train station
  • 22 kilometers from Amplepuis train station
  • 92 kilometers from St-Exupéry Airport in Lyon

Practical information

On site

  • Parking
  • Children’s area
  • Accommodation options
  • 2 parking spaces for people with reduced mobility
  • A restroom with 4 toilets, including 2 adapted for people with reduced mobility
  • A 30 m² catering area

Organize an event at the Domain of Saint-Marcel de Félines

A stay in the Loire?

For a weekend getaway, a stay with family or friends in the Loire region