Château de Talcy

Château de Talcy is a historic palace in Talcy, north of the Loire River. Originating as a 13th-century fortification, it was expanded in the 16th and 17th centuries and modernized in the 18th. Listed as a Historical Monument in 1906, it has been state-owned since 1933 and is open to visitors.

History

First mentioned in 1221, Talcy was owned by the Simon family before being sold in 1517 to Florentine banker Bernard Salviati, who fortified it. His daughter Cassandre inspired poet Pierre de Ronsard, while his granddaughter Diane was the muse of Agrippa d'Aubigné.

The château hosted Catherine de' Medici and Charles IX in 1572, where they allegedly planned the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. It changed hands several times before the Burgeat family modernized it in the 18th century. The Gastebois, Vincens, and Stapfer families, known for their egalitarian beliefs, preserved it during the French Revolution. In 1933, Valentine Stapfer sold it to the state.

Architecture

The château retains a medieval feel, with a fortified central tower (1480) and Renaissance wings (1520s). A fire in 1723 destroyed the west wing, and the interiors were remodeled in the 1780s. Features include a 19th-century well, dovecote, and a Protestant chapel.

Now a museum, the château welcomes 20,000 visitors annually.

Address

Rue du Château 18, Talcy, France

Details

Founded: 1221
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in France
Historical period: Late Capetians (France)