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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”