Château de Germolles
Château de Germolles | |
---|---|
Mellecey | |
Type | Medieval palace |
Site history | |
Built | c. 1385–1400 |
Built by | Margaret of Flanders |
Château de Germolles is situated in
It has been listed as a
History
Origins: the stronghold of the seigneurs of Germolles
The site of Germolles was occupied from the 13th century by a stronghold built by the local feudal lords of the manor: the seigneurs of Germolles. In the 2nd half of the 14th century, their financial situation was so critical that they had to sell the domain of Germolles which was purchased by the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold. We know very little about the appearance of the fortress of the lords of Germolles. It certainly had large towers and solid walls with only a few windows. All that remains of the original building are the lower chapel and the wine cellar.
Country estate of Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders
In 1380, Philip the Bold (first Duke of Burgundy of the new royal
The residence was slowly transformed into a sumptuous country estate. The large rectangular building, surrounded by a moat, enclosed a courtyard. The apartments were situated in the south and east wings, while the west wing contained receptions rooms, and the north wing was for the guards and security staff. The Duchess of Burgundy, who was energetic and a country lover, decided to develop at Germolles some rustic activities that would create a pleasant environment around her favourite residence, as well as developing local agriculture and providing some income for the maintenance of the domain. So she planted a large
King Charles VI of France was received at Germolles on 12 February 1389, at the invitation of his aunt and uncle.
After the ducal period
After Philip the Bold and Margaret of Flanders, the château belonged to the following three Dukes of Burgundy : John the Fearless, Philip the Good and Charles the Bold. After the death of Charles the Bold in Nancy in 1477, the château became a possession of the King of France. Used by various families courtesy of the King until the end of the 18th century, the château was sold to the Nation after the French Revolution. Different kinds of destruction, voluntary or accidental, due in particular to the lack of maintenance, led to the loss of certain parts of the building. The château was purchased at the end of the 19th century by the same family who still own it. Today it is open to visitors throughout most of the year, and a programme of cultural events takes place annually.
Description
Remains of the original fortress
Two elements date from the first period of Germolles (13th century). They are still conserved because they were integrated into the project of transformation in a ducal palace. The large wine cellar used for the storage of wine and food has conserved its medieval appearance with modern gothic next to traditional Burgundian romanesque elements. The lower chapel has similar architecture but has sculptured decoration with both romanesque reliefs and gothic foliage.
The two towers at the entrance to the château certainly date from the original building but were reused and reinforced in the 14th century. Even if during the ducal period the château was no longer a
Sumptuous princely palace
The reception room above the cellar was used in the 14th century to receive important guests. It was destroyed by a fire at the beginning of the 19th century but the remains indicate its original size. The south wall of the room was decorated with a monumental fireplace on top of which was a
Ducal chapel
The duchess's architect created, above the old lower chapel, a ducal chapel. This is composed of a nave, as well as a choir (architecture) installed in the elegant octagonal turret built as a bartizan and a private and comfortable oratory with its own fireplace. It was reserved for the devotions of the princess. At the end of the 19th century a fire destroyed this exquisite part of the building which was then exposed to the elements. In 2009–2010, restoration work under the supervision and with the financial support of the government and the Department of Saône-et-Loire, was carried out to restore the roof and top part of the turret and recreate the sense of the space of the nave with a modern protection.
Main building and the luxurious comfort of the court of Burgundy
Today the main building is separated from the rest of the château that surrounded the courtyard. It is certainly the most remarkable part of the château. It is particularly well preserved with elements showing the quality of the construction: large windows opening to the outside, turrets with internal spiral staircases cut in stone, gothic fireplaces... Its three floors are the architectural manifestation of the brilliant court of the duke and duchess: the ground floor was used for domestic activities, the first floor contained the ducal apartments and the second, the court apartments.
In one of the kitchens on the ground floor, the large gothic fireplace still in its original position evokes the activities of the place.
The garret or rooms under the timbers on the second floor were for the court that accompanied the ducal couple. The ceiling built as an inverted hull of a ship was panelled and the walls were decorated with tapestries. One of these rooms, restored at the beginning of the 20th century is covered with copies of wall paintings from originals of the first floor.
Gardens to accompany the ducal residence
The garden created by Margaret of Flanders and the large rose garden have disappeared. Transformed into a romantic
Some dates
- 1380: The duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold, purchased Germolles for his wife, Margaret of Flanders;
- 1382: beginning of the renovation and re-building of the residence. The work lasted fifteen years during which the château was transformed into a luxurious country estate;
- 1389: visit of King Charles VI of France;
- 1393: Claus Sluter carved the famous group showing Philip and Margaret; the duke and duchess are seated under an elm, surrounded by sheep;
- 1399: a statue of the Virgin Mary was made by Sluter and his workshop and placed at the entrance to the château;
- 1466: restoration of the group made by Sluter, protected against the elements;
- 1873: fires destroyed parts of the château.
Gallery
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The lower court with the châtelet at the back
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View of the ducal chapel after restoration (14th century)
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Mural painting of the dressing room of Margaret of Bavaria (14th century)
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Detail of a capital of the fireplace of the reception room (14th century)
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Floor tiles (14th century)
Bibliography
- E. Picard, "Le château de Germolles et Marguerite de Flandre", Mémoires de la Société Eduenne, Autun, tome 40, 1912, p. 147–218
- H. Drouot, Autour de la pastorale de Claus Sluter, 1942
- J. Devignes, Le château de Germolles, demeure de plaisance ducale, 1972
- P. M. de Winter, "Jean de Marville, Claus Sluter et les statues de Philippe de Hardi et de Marguerite de Flandre au château de Germolles", Actes du 100ème congrès national des Sociétés Savantes (1976), Paris, 1978, p. 215–232
- P. Beck (coordinateur), Vie de cour en Bourgogne à la fin du Moyen Age, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Editions Alan Sutton, 2002, 128p (monographie historique et archéologique sur le château de Germolles)
- Catalogue de l'exposition L'art à la cour de Bourgogne. Le mécénat de Philippe le Hardi et de Jean sans Peur (1364–1419), Dijon, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cleveland, The Cleveland of Art, 2004–2005, p. 146–150
- C. Beck et P. Beck,"L'exploitation et la gestion des ressources naturelles dans le domaine ducal bourguignon à la fin du XIVe siècle", in Médiévales, automne 2007 : La nature en partage, n°53, 2007, p. 93–108 [1]
- M. Pinette, "Le château de Germolles", Congrés Archéologique de France, 166e session, 2008, Saône et Loire, publication Société Française d'Archéologie, Paris, 2010, p. 196–203
Notes
- ^ Base Mérimée: PA00113354, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
- ^ Chateau website, times of opening (in French)
- ^ C. et P. Beck (2007)p.99
- ^ C. et P. Beck (2007), p99