The Tour de France today crossed over into Switzerland and I have waited for the moment for years. Looking at the route I noticed it came very close to the city of Vullierens and was giddy with excitement that I may get an aerial view of the Chateau de Vullierens. Sure the landscape of Europe is dotted with one amazing chateau after another but this one holds a very special place in my heart.
Postcard my great aunt Bess sent to my great grandma Sarah when she visited for the wedding in 1934.
The Chateau de Vullierens dates back to 1706 when Gabriel-Henri de Mestral had the current structure built where the original chateau of 1308 once stood. Designed by a student of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, architect to Louis XIV. Parts of the medieval retaining wall still remain today. In 1712 Gabriel had three tours added and it became one of the most envied homes for miles.
Covering close to 250 acres, it was in 1955 when it started to transform into one of the largest gardens in the area. I should back up and tell you why this chateau means so much to me. On January 24, 1934 my great aunt Doreen Taylor Meyer married Dr Robert Bovet here at the chateau. Dr Bovet was the descendant of Gabriel-Henri de Mestral and the owner of Vullierens and was a well known doctor in South Africa and Switzerland.
Living in the chateau, Doreen and Robert decided they wanted to create a garden and cultivate just one flower, the iris. Working at Clinique La Prairie in Montreux everyday he and Gaby Martignier at the chateau created new species but never the elusive bright red iris that he really wanted to create. Doreen traveled back to the US to gather more bulbs including bringing hundreds from just outside of Portland on a visit to my grandparents. Today you can still see those same Iris that my cousin Daria also added to.
In the 70’s & 80’s my grandparents went to visit and I would hear the stories from my grandma of the “family chateau”. No central heating but still with all the charm of an 18th century chateau. The property itself has many buildings and even a winery that produces Grand Cru wine. In 1998 the tenant famer’s barn seen in a photo my grandpa took in April 1972 has now turned into a wedding and event space.
The facade and structure hasn’t been changed in almost 400 years. As for those three towers, one was removed in the early 1900’s when Bernard's grandmother wanted a better view of Mont Blanc. The garden is also dotted with contemporary sculptures and open to visitors from April to October,
My cousin Robert now looks over the chateau and I can’t wait to go and visit next year and spend some time in a place my grandparents loved to visit and hear more about the history and explore the property, oh and the wine.
1930’s
1977
Great uncle Doctor Bernard Bovet in French Elle magazine summer 1980