Despite the beginning of the French Revolution, the count managed to escape the guillotine and was allowed to hold on to his land. However, sadly he died in 1799 aged just 44. His firstborn, Louis-Henri, inherited the château, which later passed to his eldest son, Armand.

In 1868, Count Armand de Montrichard is said to have sold off two other estates the family owned and pumped the proceeds into massively extending the Château de la Chasseigne in a regal neo-Renaissance style.

Now, let's step inside...

Why was this 'secret' French château left abandoned?