Château Woolsack
| Château Woolsack | |
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| Château Woolsack | |
Façade of the Château Woolsack at Mimizan
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 Location within France
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| Alternative names | The Woolsack |
| General information | |
| Type | Hunting Lodge |
| Architectural style | Tudor |
| Location | Mimizan, Landes, France |
| Town or city | Mimizan |
| Country | France |
| Coordinates | 44°13′35″N 1°13′11″W / 44.22639°N 1.21972°WCoordinates: 44°13′35″N 1°13′11″W / 44.22639°N 1.21972°W |
| Current tenants | Residence |
| Construction started | 1911 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Detmar Blow and Fernand Billerey |
| Other designers | Based on design of Sir Herbert Baker |
The Château Woolsack or Château de Woolsack or The Woolsack is a former hunting lodge located in the commune of Mimizan in the department of Landes in the Aquitaine region of south-western France. Built in 1911 on the shores of Lake Aureilhan by Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, it is a replica in the Tudor style of the home of Rudyard Kipling - the author of The Jungle Book. It is on a site which has been classified since 18 July 1978.
The 2nd Duke of Westminster, born in 1879, came from one of the richest and most prestigious families of Great Britain and he was reputed to be the richest man in England. The young aristocrat soon became the most brilliant gentleman in the UK thanks to his lavish receptions, great hunts, and travels.
The Duke came to Landes in 1910 on the advice of his friend Rawlinson who hunted wild boar at Mimizan with Mr. Bacon. He was captivated by the beautiful scenery.
Shortly after this first visit the Duke purchased a wooded area of over 10 hectares on the banks of Lake Aureilhan to build a hunting lodge. It was offered to him by the British Crown in recognition of the courage he showed during the Second Boer War and for services rendered.
Construction work began in 1911. The architects Detmar Blow and Fernand Billerey used plans made by Sir Herbert Baker for the property "Woolsack" in South Africa which was built by Cecil Rhodes for Rudyard Kipling, and which also inspired the name of the property in Mimizan.
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