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”