In the small town of Brissac-Quenset, there is a magnificent 52-meter-high castle, which is called the Giant of the Loire Valley. Enchanting nature, convenient location, magnificent interiors - there is everything to fall in love with a casual fellow traveler. And if a person stays overnight in the castle, he will hear sexual groans at night …
The story of one betrayal
Initially, the castle was built as a defensive fortress by order of the Count of Anjou Fulke Nerra. The first time of his castle biography, he performed this function. However, for most of its life, this fundamental structure was passed on as a baton. So, for example, in 1434, the minister of King Charles VII, Pierre de Brese, became its owner, by whose order the castle was given a Gothic look. After Pierre's heroic death, the building went to his son Jacques de Brese, with whom the main legend of the Brissac castle is connected.
In 1462 Jacques entered into a lucrative marriage alliance with Louis XI's sister Charlotte of Valois. Naturally, there was no talk of any great and pure love here. Moreover, Jacques de Brese had heard a lot about the frivolous adventures of his future wife, but apparently was in full confidence that she would be re-educated. So they began to slowly live an ordinary family life. Jacques de Brese disappeared for days on his favorite hunt, and his wife at that time led her secret life …
Everything changed on May 31, 1477. On this day, Jacques, as always, returned from his beloved hunting, dined with Charlotte, and then went to his bedchamber, where he fell asleep in a peaceful sleep. He woke up from the exclamation of his servant, who told the man the unpleasant news. His wife right in these minutes shamelessly instructs the ideal husband of the horn. An angry Jacques burst into Charlotte's room and made sure that everything said by the servant was true. In a rage, he struck both of them over a hundred times with his sword. Upon learning of the brutal murder of his sister, Louis XI gave the order to throw Jacques de Brese in prison and imposed a fine of 200,000 ECU, which his family had to pay. As a result, the jealous son sold the castle, and he himself married Diane de Poitiers. But that's a completely different story …
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And one more small clarification. Since then, passionate groans have been heard from the bedroom where the lovers were killed. Having tasted the pleasure of love pleasures (nothing human is alien to ghosts), transparent lovers go out into the corridors and frighten visitors. Have the next castle owners seen them? Surely …
History of other owners
Since 1502, the governor of Paris, René Cosset, lived in the castle. Significant changes in the architectural appearance of the building were associated with the Marshal of France Charles II, who invited the architect Jacques Corbino to transform his residence. Corbino planned to equip the castle so that it would have eight floors. And the facade of the building would be decorated with magnificent decor. But in the end, only one part of the castle was redone. And after the death of the duke, his son decided not to continue finishing work and let everything go to chance …
There were many owners of the castle, but another significant role in the transformation of the building was played by Jeanne Sai - the wife of another owner, Roland de Cosse. She invested a lot of money in the revival of the Brissac castle, thanks to which he began a new life. So, Jeanne founded an opera hall on the top floor of the building, where from 1890 to 1916 magnificent operas and operettas were staged and various music festivals were held. All the European elite of that time gathered here. And Jeanne herself delighted those present with her vocal skill. The theater closed with the outbreak of the First World War. Naturally, for a long time, people were not up to high art. Musical evenings resumed here only in 1983.
On November 3, 1958, the Brissac castle acquired the status of a monument of national importance, and since 2000 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now the castle is open to visitors, who can admire the luxurious interiors in plenty.
The interiors of the Brissac castle
Just worth, for example, the Great Salon, the ceiling of which is decorated with gilding. The interior is complemented by 18th century furniture, four crystal Venetian chandeliers made of Murano glass, portraits and tapestries, busts and photographs of the former and current owners of the castle.
But most of the paintings are concentrated in the large gallery, where magnificent receptions were previously held. Here you can see tapestries depicting the exploits of Alexander the Great and portraits of the Brissac dynasties. The ceiling of the gallery is also decorated with episodes of biblical myths and legends.
By the way, the central element of Louis XIII's bedroom is also a portrait of Alexander the Great, praising his feats of arms. The king was an ardent admirer of the commander.
Visitors are sure to be taken to the medieval kitchen, where you can see dishes and a massive fireplace almost intact. And of course, a wine cellar, where you have a chance to taste and buy any varieties of this noble drink. And don't forget to take a walk in the park surrounding Brissac Castle.
By the way, everyone has an excellent opportunity to spend the night in one of the rooms of the building. But only paired with the legal half … Otherwise, the ghosts of Charlotte de Valois and her lover will visit you. And such a meeting for the traitors will not turn out to be anything good.
Olga Hrabrykh
