We have driven in the area and stop by finally, and a great surprise indeed, This is the nice City of Beaugency in the Loiret dept 45 of the Centre Val de Loire region of my belle France, There is so much to see , and did see more for you and me, So close by it many times and finally in ,a great surprise, nice town indeed! Therefore, here is my take on the Château Dunois of Beaugency !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The Château de Beaugency aka Château Dunois, was built during the medieval period in the 15-16C. It was a stately home, first owned by the lords of Beaugency, then by the kings of France and the Dukes of Orléans until the French revolution of 1789. The castle also boasted a hanging garden, a courtyard of honor, and a chapel. Of the fortified castle only the keep remains today as the sole evidence of the military power of the lords of Beaugency from the 11C onward. This quadrangular Romanesque tower, also known as Caesar’s Tower, is 36 meters high and dominates the town. The main building, in the Gothic style, features mullioned windows and is topped with a medieval roof structure. It features galleries on two levels. A chapel dedicated to Saint George is placed above one of the castle entrances, a common practice in the Middle Ages. The guarding of the entrance to Beaugency was thus entrusted to Saint George, patron saint of knights and cavalry. The design of the chapel’s stained-glass window, dating from 1325. Today, the castle is composed of four buildings: to the east, is Dunois’s dwelling and the chapel; opposite, to the west, stands the Longueville wing and its pavilion, modified later; to the north, a 19C building was erected opposite the entrance, in place of a former kitchen; to the south, the galleries built on two levels, presumably by Dunois, remain. The main gallery is crossed on the ground floor by a passageway that leads to the exterior. During European Heritage Days, it is possible to visit the keep, called Caesar Tower, in addition to the stately home. Since 2021, the Château de Beaugency has become a digital art center, with access to the courtyard and self-guided tours. The castle is also used as a reception venue for private and professional events.
A bit of history tell us that was mainly known as the home of Jean de Dunois, known as the bastard of Orléans, companion in arms of Joan of Arc, the castle has witnessed notable episodes in the history of France: figures such as Francis I, Louis XI and Joan of Arc have left their mark on the life of the castle and the town of Beaugency. It then housed the Museum of Popular Art and Tradition of Orléanais until 2002. The castle was reopened to the public in October 2014 after upgrading work. Since 2021, it has been a digital art center. It is located at the corner of Passage Pellieux and Place Dunois, at an altitude of 88 meters ,and located about 200 meters from the right bank of the Loire river, Jean de Dunois’s grandson, Cardinal Jean d’Orléans-Longueville, Archbishop of Toulouse, also carried out some work on the lordship residence. The Longueville residence was built between 1518 and 1524. A garden was added on the moat at the foot of the residence and then transformed into a terrace in 1525. The King of France, Francis I, visited Beaugency in 1519, while the Dunois residence was being renovated and the new residence was still under construction. He therefore stayed in an unusually located room, next to the pantry on the ground floor, the safest place for the king and his family. It is said that he enjoyed playing tennis in the castle courtyard. He was again received at Beaugency from October 5 to 16, 1526, and returned in November 1536, three years after Longueville’s death.
The official Château de Beaugency : https://www.chateau-beaugency.com/
The town of Beaugency on its heritage (see decouvrir, ma ville , au fil de monuments) :https://www.beaugency.fr/
The local Terres du Val de Loire tourist office on Beaugency : https://en.tourisme-terresduvaldeloire.fr/beaugency-5/
The Loiret dept 45 tourist office on Beaugency : https://www.tourismeloiret.com/fr/voir/villes-villages/beaugency
There you go folks, a dandy area to explore and enjoy with the family, Memorable moments in my belle France, going all over in my road warrior trails brings out sublime awesome spots with nice memorable family visits of yesteryear always remember and always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again hope you enjoy the post on the Château Dunois of Beaugency !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 