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Loire. The Land of Castles
Sezione 1
Sezione 2
Chaumont-sur-Loire, Château
Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont. 1755
PLAY ME
This marvelous structure
was built in the 10th century and stood on the magical
and stunning hills of Chaumont-sur-Loire. This castle was home to several noble families, and its walls witnessed many historical events. It belonged to the Amboise family until, after a dispute between Pierre d'Amboise and King Louis XI, the castle was demolished in 1465. Years later, working on what remained of the castle,
Charles II d'Amboise took possession of it and transformed it into a majestic new building with Renaissance features. Intensive decorative work sculpted on the facade gave it one of its most interesting and remarkable features. In 1550 the castle passed into the hands of Catherine de' Medici, wife of Henry II of France,
who dedicated herself to organising several events, attended by many famous people of the time, one of whom, to name but one, was Nostradamus, the most famous prophecy writer in history. The years passed and the castle passed from one hand to another, continuing to house various families until it came to me, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray, in 1750.
Thanks to my financial fortune and the reputation of being one of the most powerful aristocrats in France, I bought it as a country house that year. I felt totally in awe of its magnificence, almost suffocated by such majesty. At one point, I gave the order to destroy the north wing to open up the view of the beautiful Loire.
Sezione 3
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