Well, Dear Reader, you might have noticed a theme in my posts of late: Chateaus. At first it was unintentional, but then I thought, Hey, why not do a Blog post on a chateau every Wednesday in August!
This particular chateau, Château de Castelnau, is not one that I find overly beautiful or anything. But it is a chateau, and it is not ugly, so it will do.
Construction on Château de Castelnau began about 1100, under Hugues, baron of Castelnau, who built a wall around his manor. He was the ancestor of the powerful dynasty of Castelnau, who owned a rich and prosperous region and were vassals of the Counts of Toulouse.
The chateau was enlarged several times between the 12th and the 15th century, when it was necessary to adapt the fortifications to artillery.
It was taken by Henry II of England in 1159, and returned to the barons of Castelnau at the end of the Hundred Years' War.
During the 17th century, the castle was improved in an aesthetical and practical way: large windows, richly decorated salons, balcony of honor.
The castle fall into disrepair after the death of the last Castelnau in 1715. In 1895 it was bought by Jean Mouliérat, a singer with the Paris Opéra Comique and also a collector of furniture and sacred artworks. He undertook the restoration and furnished the castle with his collection. After his death in 1932, the castle was given to the state. Visitors can see seven rooms in this fortress, restored and furnished in the medieval style.
Bonne journée. (Have a nice day.)
2 comments:
I think it's a neat-looking place. That large round tower is a bit out of the ordinary; I like it. :)
~ A.K. ~
Another lovely post. :)
Post a Comment