Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
The château of Azay-le-Rideau occupies the site of a former feudal castle. The original medieval castle fell victim to the rivalry between Burgundian and Armagnac factions during the Hundred Years' War. In 1418, the future Charles VII passed through Azay-le-Rideau as he fled from Burgundian occupied Paris to the loyal Armagnac stronghold of Bourges. Angered by the insults of the Burgundian troops occupying the town, the dauphin ordered his own army to storm the castle. The 350 soldiers inside were all executed and the castle itself burnt to the ground.
The castle remained in ruins until 1518, when the land was acquired by Gilles Berthelot, the Mayor of Tours and Treasurer-General of the King's finances. Berthelot set about reconstructing the building to incorporate its medieval past along with the latest architectural styles of the Italian renaissance.
Unfortunately, the building plans were never completed, so the château retains the L shape rather than a quadrilateral shape originally envisioned.
An extensive building project to replace the slate roof was in progress when we visited, so photographic opportunities were limited. But this one view reflections in the Indre River is classic.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2016
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
The château of Azay-le-Rideau occupies the site of a former feudal castle. The original medieval castle fell victim to the rivalry between Burgundian and Armagnac factions during the Hundred Years' War. In 1418, the future Charles VII passed through Azay-le-Rideau as he fled from Burgundian occupied Paris to the loyal Armagnac stronghold of Bourges. Angered by the insults of the Burgundian troops occupying the town, the dauphin ordered his own army to storm the castle. The 350 soldiers inside were all executed and the castle itself burnt to the ground.
The castle remained in ruins until 1518, when the land was acquired by Gilles Berthelot, the Mayor of Tours and Treasurer-General of the King's finances. Berthelot set about reconstructing the building to incorporate its medieval past along with the latest architectural styles of the Italian renaissance.
Unfortunately, the building plans were never completed, so the château retains the L shape rather than a quadrilateral shape originally envisioned.
An extensive building project to replace the slate roof was in progress when we visited, so photographic opportunities were limited. But this one view reflections in the Indre River is classic.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2016