Chateau-sur-Mer

Chateau-sur-Mer is a Second Empire chateau in Newport, Rhode Island, and a filming location for The Bostonians (1984) and The Gilded Age (2022-). Built in 1852, it was designed by Seth Bradford, and is a National Historic Landmark. It is owned by Preservation Society of Newport County.

Location: 474 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Verified facts

• Located in Bellevue Avenue Historic District, Newport, Rhode Island
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0295
• Designed by Seth Bradford
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0295
• Designed by Richard Morris Hunt
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0296
• Built in 1852
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0296
• Architectural style: Second Empire
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0296
• Historic designation: National Historic Landmark (2006); National Register of Historic Places (1968)
  confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0294, SRC-0296, SRC-0295
• Appeared in The Bostonians (movie, 1984) — as filming location
  confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0299, SRC-0300, SRC-0465
• Designed by John Russell Pope — architect
  confidence 95/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-0295, SRC-2993, SRC-3683, SRC-0294, SRC-6966
• Designed by Ogden Codman Jr. — architect
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-3405, SRC-2993
• Designed by Luigi Frullini — artist
  confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-3405, SRC-3406
• Historic designation: designated
  confidence 95/100 · 7 independent sources · SRC-0390, SRC-0389, SRC-3976, SRC-3410, SRC-6967, SRC-6968, SRC-8748
• Architectural style: Italianate
  confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-3410, SRC-0295, SRC-0296
• Appeared in The Gilded Age (tv, 2022-)
  confidence 85/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-4287, SRC-0370, SRC-0297, SRC-8756, SRC-0298

Ownership history

Current owner — Preservation Society of Newport County (since 1969)
confidence 85/100 · SRC-0294, SRC-0296, SRC-2993, SRC-3410, SRC-3411

Previous owners

• Wetmore family (William Shepard Wetmore) (1852–1969)
  confidence 85/100 · SRC-0294, SRC-0295, SRC-2993, SRC-0296, SRC-3410, SRC-3411

Evidence & sources

• SRC-0294 — National Park Service – National Historic Landmark Nomination, Chateau-sur-Mer (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0295 — The Cultural Landscape Foundation (Tier 2, scholarship; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0296 — Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport Mansions) (Tier 1, owner_statement; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0297 — Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport Mansions) (Tier 1, owner_statement; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0298 — Giggster – The Gilded Age Filming Locations Guide (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0299 — Quahog.org – Rhode Island Facts & Folklore (The Bostonians) (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0300 — IMDb – The Bostonians (1984) Filming Locations (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0370 — Newport Historical Society (Tier 2, scholarship; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0389 — Bellevue Avenue Historic District (Wikipedia) (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0390 — The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) (Tier 2, scholarship; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0465 — The Bostonians (film) – Wikipedia (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-2993 — Historic Structures (historic-structures.com) – Chateau-sur-Mer Mansion (Wetmore House) (Tier 2, reference_compilation; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3405 — National Register of Historic Places / National Historic Landmark nomination – Chateau-sur-Mer (Wetmore House) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3406 — Historic Structures – Description of Interior, Chateau-sur-Mer Mansion (Wetmore House) (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3410 — Wikipedia — Chateau-sur-Mer (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3411 — Salve Regina University — Salve's Seven Estates: Chateau-sur-Mer (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3683 — lostnewengland.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3976 — newportmansions.org (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4287 — discovernewport.org (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4700 — The Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport Mansions) (Tier 1, institution; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4701 — Discover Newport / VisitRhodeIsland.com (Tier 2, organization; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-6966 — Modern Day Tripper – Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport, RI (Tier 3, travel_blog; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-6967 — Visit Newport RI – Bellevue Avenue in Newport (Tier 3, tourism_board; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-6968 — GPSmyCity – Bellevue Avenue Historic District Walking Tour (Tier 3, tourism_guide; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-8748 — National Park Service — National Register of Historic Places Inventory–Nomination Form, Bellevue Avenue Historic District (ref. 72000023), inventory entry no. 31 (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-8756 — Variety — How HBO's 'The Gilded Age' Boosted Newport Mansions Tourism (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)

How we verify

Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

Where was The Bostonians filmed?

Chateau-sur-Mer, in Newport, Rhode Island, is a real-world filming location used for The Bostonians. This property has also appeared on screen in The Gilded Age.

Where was The Gilded Age filmed?

Chateau-sur-Mer, in Newport, Rhode Island, is a real-world filming location used for The Gilded Age. This property has also appeared on screen in The Bostonians.

Can you visit Chateau-sur-Mer?

Yes — Chateau-sur-Mer is open to the public on a limited basis. Hours: Open seasonally/select days (recently Wed & Thu in summer); check site for current open dates. Audio-tour, self-guided.. Admission: Covered by any Newport Mansions ticket. One-property ticket: Adult $25, Youth (6-12) $10, under 6 free; multi-property tickets also valid..

Who designed Chateau-sur-Mer?

Chateau-sur-Mer was designed by John Russell Pope.

Where is Chateau-sur-Mer located?

Chateau-sur-Mer is located in Newport, Rhode Island.