Chateau de Morts
On my recent trip to Paris, we pushed on into the evening. At around 10 o'clock, I noticed lights in the distance. The grand Chateau de Gaumont sat in the distance, its windows alive with light. My coachman asked if I would like to inquire about stopping at the chateau for the night, but I am certain that chateau has sat empty these 20 years. I told the coachman to push on to Paris, and that whatever roamed in the chateau that night could roam alone.
In an isolated stretch of land between Paris and Fontainebleau sits a 16th century chateau. The building hasn't been lived in for at least fifty years, and the grounds are so overgrown that trees are slowly cutting off view of the building from the road.
But inside, it's as if the residents never left. Crystal chandeliers glimmer through freshly-washed windows. There is not a cobweb to be seen and dust never gathers. The chateau would appear to be full of life, despite the fact that nobody actually lives there.
History
Chateau de Gaumont was build in 1557 by Jacques Barrault, a prominent Lieutenant-Corrector in the Arbitrium Church who came from a wealthy family. It was originally built as a primary residence for his large family, with a staff of over one hundred.
Over the years, the chateau was passed down through the Barrault family. Many subsequent heirs were also involved in the church, and the building reflected the family's piety. A chapel was built on-site and religious iconography was built into the interior design. The family were devout Arbitrists, with a diviner on staff who was one of the most privileged servants. It is said they consulted with the diviner before deciding what to eat for dinner.
The last Barrault to own the chateau was Michelet Barrault, born 1714. Michelet had had several older siblings who all died in early childhood, so when he was born with an adult soul guide (indicating he would be an adult when it came for him), he immediately became beloved and coddled.
Michelet, though, did not rest easy. His cat was an adult, yes, but not old. He was fated die in middle age, and grew up haunted by wondering what would do him in when his cat showed no signs of injury. By the time he was 20, Michelet was fixated on the fear of death. He inherited the chateau at the age of 24, and quickly trimmed down the servant population. He became a recluse, certain that each day would be his last. He sold off the stable's horses (because what if a riding accident was what killed him?) and fired all the stable hands, and eventually stopped going outside entirely in fear of disease.
Michelet was ruled by impending death. In 1746, the chateau was broken into by house robbers, who took advantage of the tiny staff. The next morning, the butler found Michelet dead in his study, all valuables stripped from the room. The death was reported as a murder, but examination by a surgeon showed no wounds. It was suggested that Michelet, anxious about dying every minute of his life, had dropped dead from fright upon seeing intruders.
Michelet died with no children. The chataeu passed to a distant cousin in Marseilles, who opted not to maintain the place. In 1758, twelve years after the last staff member left, the new owner returned to the building looking for a statuette Michelet's mother had bought. He was shocked to discover that though the front of the building was as overgrown as expected, the interior seemed to be well-maintained, as if a grand household still dwelled there. He never found the statuette, as he claimed to have been chased out of the house by evil spirits.
Rumours of a haunting at Chateau de Gaumont have persisted over the years. At night, it is frequently seen well-lit and sometimes, the music of an orchestra can be heard drifting from an open window. Investigators have claimed to have doors slammed in their faces or objects thrown at them. A spiritualist who drank Ghost Vine tea before entering (which would allow her to see into the ethereal world and communicate with ghosts) came out the next morning stating that the residents of the chateau would prefer to be left alone.
Its owner leaves it sitting empty, because it obviously doesn't need to be maintained by him, and because its reputation means no one is willing to purchase it from him. Over the years, it came to be known more popularly as Chateau de Morts - Chateau of the Dead.
Type
Manor house / Meeting hall
