By Grant Stein. Location The middle of France in the Loire valley, 7km from St. Benoit. Southeast of...

By Grant Stein

Location• The middle of France in the Loire valley,

7km from St. Benoit.

• Southeast of Orléans in the City of Sully.

• Left bank of the Loire river guarding a strategic ford.

47.7677°N 2.3752°E

History• 1218 – Roman-style keep built south of

the present-day structure.

• 10th –14th centuries – estate is the property of the Barons de Sully.

• 1395 – Guy de la Trémoille built the Donjon, flanked by 4 towers – commissioned main features.

• 1430 – Trémoille imprisoned Joan d’Arc in castle after she failed to liberate Paris.

• 17th century – Maximilien de Béthune (1560 – 1641), is the first duke of Sully and a minister under Henri IV.

History• March 1652 – King Louis XIV, Queen

Anne of Austria, and prime minister Cardinal Mazarin hid in castle during a revolt against the French nobility.

• 18th century – Voltaire retreated to Sully after infuriating the king.

• 1802 – Marshal MacMahon, Duke of Magenta and President of France from 1873-1879, was born in Sully-sur-Loire.

• 1962 – became property of Départment

du Loiret, and is now considered a historical monument.

ArchitectureArchitecture• Medieval fortress from late 14th

century – wood (oak) and stone.

• 4 cylindrical corner towers– western towers: "Nouvion" and

"Villebon" – eastern towers: "Chapelle

d'Anguillon" and "Verrines"

• Rectangular keep – Giant oak rafters are 35 meters

long and 15 meters high– Rafters built in the shape of an

upturned boat

• Southern gateway is flanked by 2 towers.

ArchitectureArchitecture• Drawbridge formerly rose over

moat.• A door placed in a square tower

is main access to the castle today.

• Parapet walkway• Machicolations• Series of vast, stacked

chambers – 300 sq. meters and 100 sq.

meters– Huge fireplaces– Spiral staircase

• Castle is built over a porch-tower containing Sully’s apartments.

Myths and Legends

There are not many common myths about this castle, but sections recall famous Greek and Roman legends; the

tapestry collection le Tenure de Psyche, and the paintings in the Duke’s bedchamber are perfect examples.

HeritageHeritage

• Spacious, verdant gardens.

• State room – an hidden iron door leads to the room that controls the drawbridge and Duke’s treasury.

• Tomb of Sully and his wife (replicas).

• Duke’s Bedchamber – French ceiling painted “in the Italian style” illustrating the gods on Mount Olympus.

• 6 tapestries depict the tale of Psyche.

Tourist Information• Events:

– April 3rd-30th kids 6-13 dress up in costume• Learn about leisure pursuits of the Middle Ages

– May 14-15 at 8pm: “Nights of Henri IV”• Walk castle by candlelight • Meet key people in King Henri’s life

• Accessible by bus from Orléans• April–Sept 10am to 6pm • Oct–March 10am to Noon and 2–5pm • Closed in January• €3.40; guided visits, only by reservation

Sources

• http://www.france-for-visitors.com/loire/sully-sur-loire.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Château_de_Sully-sur-Loire

• http://www.loirevalleyfrance.net/castles/chateau-sully-sur-loire.html

• http://www.coeur-de-france.com/sully.html

• “Wonderful Loire Valley Castles”