Château de Machy

Château de Machy is a 17th-century residence in Chasselay, in the Monts d'Or hills roughly 15 km from Lyon, in France's Rhône department. It isn't a museum-style castle with ticketed visits — since 1996 the building has been home to the professional theatre company La Première Seconde, which uses it as a working space for rehearsals, creation, and production, and has been gradually restoring it.

How do you get there?

Chasselay sits in the Monts d'Or, a hilly area just north of Lyon, easily reachable if you're already exploring the greater Lyon region. A car is the most practical option — the surrounding landscape is rural and undulating, dotted with vineyards, woods, and small villages typical of the Monts d'Or. The château itself stands among fields and rises on the edge of the commune, and the quiet countryside setting is part of the appeal, offering a clear contrast to the bustle of Lyon.

What will you see?

The château has no single architectural style — it's a cluster of buildings raised across different periods, without overall unity. The main building, set on level ground, is marked by a turret with a staircase in a design typical of the 17th century, while its original windows were later enlarged into bays. Inside, a grand living room survives with a French-style ceiling and painted door-top panels, a detail that hints at the ambitions of past owners.

The site's history goes back to the Middle Ages, when Machy was a large agricultural estate. In 1556, J. Senneton bequeathed to his wife a cluster of houses known as the "castelet," believed to have stood on the same site as today's château. Construction of the château in its current form began in the 17th century. In 1778 the estate was bought by Jean-Antoine Morand for his son, Antoine Morand de Jouffrey, and the family kept the property until the third quarter of the 20th century. In 1978 it was acquired by the Office culturel de Cluny, and since 1996 it has been run by La Première Seconde.

Because of its current use, access to the interior depends on the cultural calendar rather than fixed opening hours — this is a working venue, not a static exhibit. It's worth checking whether a performance, open rehearsal, or other event organized by La Première Seconde falls within your travel dates, since that's the best way to see the inside. Outside of such occasions, the château can still be admired from the outside while walking through the surrounding Monts d'Or countryside.

When should you visit?

The best time to plan a visit is around a scheduled theatre event or an open-heritage day — the château regularly takes part in events such as the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), when the buildings and their history are opened up to a wider public. Outside the cultural season, the Monts d'Or and the Chasselay area remain pleasant for walking year-round, with spring and autumn offering the most scenic version of the hilly landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Château de Machy open to visitors? It doesn't operate as a conventional tourist site with regular opening hours — it's the working home of the theatre company La Première Seconde. Interior access is mainly tied to cultural events, such as performances or Heritage Days.

How far is Château de Machy from Lyon? The château is located in Chasselay, in the Monts d'Or, at an estimated distance of about 15 km from Lyon.

What's notable about the château's architecture? The building has no unified style, being a group of structures from different eras. It stands out for its 17th-century-style turret with an internal staircase and for a living room featuring a French ceiling and painted door-top panels.

Who manages the château today? Since 1978 it has been owned by the Office culturel de Cluny, and since 1996 it has been occupied and run artistically by the theatre company La Première Seconde.