The Palladian Villa, a Venetian art of living located in the Jura

An Italian dream right in the middle of the Jura! Built just two centuries ago by a rich industrial magnate, on the model of Venetian villas and palaces imagined by Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, this square homestead is quite different from the more classic styles of the area. Sometimes named Château of Syam, after the village where it is nestled, the villa and its vast forest park are classified as Historical Monuments.

A Venetian art of living in the Jura 

Comprising four facades ornamented with ionic pilasters and a room capped with a belvedere in order to allow light to pour in, through its central rotunda and its 16-meter-high cupola, it is the property of Brigitte Cannard and Claude Darbon, since 2001. This passionate couple is striving to safeguard its fabulous patrimony, respecting the frescoes, paintings, the Bonaparte period furniture and the precious marquetry in mohagony, ebony, rosewood, pearwood, lemon tree wood and oak. Unique in its kind, the collection of wallpapers, dating back to the 19th century, which tells the story, from Greek Antiquity to Napoleon's Empire, is the most important in the world.

Illuminated by a chandelier in crystal from Bohemia, the balconies of the central rotunda are maintained by 8 neo-classic columns. © DR

There are many statues, paying homage to the seasons, in the reception rooms and dining rooms. © 

The owners, who have kept a few rooms of the château for their own privacy, also offer guest rooms to visitors. © DR

A bicentennial in memory of the Emperor

Open for public visits, and privatisable for special events, thematic concerts and exhibitions are regularly organized here, while the former stables welcome events during the Springtime. To be noted, a historical reconstitution will be taking place here on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2018, to celebrate its bicentennial—and in memory of the Napoleonian epopy.

Perfectly preserved, this fresco depicts the famous Italian Campaign of young Napoleon. © DR

On the upper level, the library comprises 16,000 works, some of which are priceless. © DR

Wedding, cocktail, seminar, the old stones of this reception room adapt to all the prestigious events. © DR