Azy castle, Historic castle in Saint-Benin-d'Azy, France.
Château d'Azy is a castle on a wooded hilltop in Saint-Benin-d'Azy with a rectangular main building, four octagonal towers, and a horseshoe-shaped tower. The structure commands the landscape and offers views over the village below.
The castle was built in 1847 under architect Pierre-Felix Delarue and commissioned by Count Denis Benoist d'Azy, who served as a deputy of Nièvre. It rose during a period of economic growth and reflects the ambitions of its builders.
The curved pediments over the main bays carry industrial emblems: a locomotive, picks, a plough and a forge, carved for Count Denis Benoist d'Azy, an industrialist who staked his fortune on a young and contested industry. Inside, the dining room keeps wallpaper panels of La Chasse shown at London's 1851 Great Exhibition, and overdoor paintings attributed to Van Loo and Boucher.
The castle sits east of Nevers and is reached via departmental roads D978 and D172, with parking available on the grounds. Visiting works best on clear days when the architecture and distant views look their finest.
The dining room walls are covered with wallpaper panels depicting La Chasse, brought from the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. Above the doors are paintings attributed to Van Loo and Boucher, bought by the first owner, a man of taste.
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