After our visit to Levroux we continued to Château de Valençay (photos above and below), a castle with a long and interesting history, dating back to 10th Century.Already in the third and fourth century however, a villa was built at the site.
The first person who is said to have erected a castle-like building on the grounds, was Gauthier, seigneur de Valençay and this was at the end of the 10th century.
In those days the grounds covered an impressing 20 000 hectares!
Among many proprietors we find Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, regarded as one of the foremost diplomates in European history, born in 1754.
He first became a clergyman after studies in theology but after a political career, he became 'Président de l'Assemblée' in 1790.
Later on - as noted above - he became the most influential diplomate under the rule of Napoléon I, given the name 'the Prince of Diplomates' and the 'foreign minister' of France under the dictator.
In 1803 he became the proprietor of this castle, ordered to buy it by Napoléon who wanted him to live in a 'respectable' way.
Above you can see the castle from the frontage and just below from one of the sides where we in front of the castle see a multitude of flowers growing rather 'wild', though not uncultivated.
In other parts of the garden we found trees, bushes and flowers made into sculptural forms.
This is the castle from the rear....
...and this is the - in France - mandatory wine cellar.
Columns near the exit.
Help! I want to get out!
I don't. It's cool here.
The first person who is said to have erected a castle-like building on the grounds, was Gauthier, seigneur de Valençay and this was at the end of the 10th century.
In those days the grounds covered an impressing 20 000 hectares!
Among many proprietors we find Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, regarded as one of the foremost diplomates in European history, born in 1754.
He first became a clergyman after studies in theology but after a political career, he became 'Président de l'Assemblée' in 1790.
Later on - as noted above - he became the most influential diplomate under the rule of Napoléon I, given the name 'the Prince of Diplomates' and the 'foreign minister' of France under the dictator.
In 1803 he became the proprietor of this castle, ordered to buy it by Napoléon who wanted him to live in a 'respectable' way.
Above you can see the castle from the frontage and just below from one of the sides where we in front of the castle see a multitude of flowers growing rather 'wild', though not uncultivated.
In other parts of the garden we found trees, bushes and flowers made into sculptural forms.
This is the castle from the rear....
...and this is the - in France - mandatory wine cellar.
Columns near the exit.
Help! I want to get out!
I don't. It's cool here.
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