Château de Colliers

Welcome to the Colliers Castle, located on the banks of the Loire River between the towns of Muides sur Loire and Saint Dyé. This magnificent castle was built in the early 18th century by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the first architect of the king, on the estate of Colliers. The castle was given to François Pissonnet de Bellefonds, an officer of the Chambord captaincy and hammer guard, in 1733. He sold it on May 5, 1751, to the Chevalier de Béla. The façade facing the Loire River has a strong Italian influence, while the south-facing façade of the courtyard is in the "Mansard" style. It is said that the Chevalier de Béla, who was an espionage agent in Sweden for King Louis XV regarding cannon foundries and chamberlain of the King of Poland, built this castle to secretly live with his mistress, Mlle de Chauloy. One unique feature of the castle is the inscription engraved in the Basque language above the entrance door: "Laketouric ontzanogo." After the Chevalier de Béla, the castle was owned by the Marquis de Vaudreuil, the last French governor of New France, the land and country of Louisiana. When his brother died in 1779 without any descendants, the castle was acquired by the Gélis family in 1783. Since then, the family has never left the castle. Visitors can explore the castle's rich history and architecture, including the Italian-influenced façade facing the Loire River and the Mansard-style façade of the courtyard. The castle also features a beautiful garden where visitors can relax and enjoy the stunning views of the Loire River. If you're interested in history, don't miss the opportunity to learn about the Chevalier de Béla's espionage activities and his secret life with Mlle de Chauloy. You can also learn about the Marquis de Vaudreuil's role in French colonial history and his connection to Louisiana. Overall, Colliers Castle is a must-see destination for anyone interested in French history and architecture. With its stunning views of the Loire River, beautiful garden, and rich history, it's sure to be a highlight of your trip to the Loire Valley.

Location: Muides-sur-Loire

Architect: Ange-Jacques Gabriel

Source: Wikimedia