Palais ducal de Nevers

Nevers

The ducal palace of Nevers overlooks the Loire from its esplanade. It was raised at the end of the 15th century on the decision of Jean de Clamecy, count of Nevers, on the site of an older fortress whose origin the tourist office attributes to Peter of Courtenay (attribution not cross-checked). The two large towers on the side opposite the façade are the oldest part. In the 16th century the Clèves family rebuilt the château and added the staircase of the central turret; the Gonzagas, dukes thereafter, embellished the south façade with numerous sculptures. In 1659 Charles de Gonzague sold the duchy to Mazarin; the Mancini family kept it until the Revolution. In 1810 the last heiress sold the château to the town and the département. It was listed as a historic monument in 1840, became a law court in 1850, and the town took it back in 1980. Excavations, mainly in 1988, brought to light fragments of 14th-century artillery, pieces of the veuglaire type with a powder chamber, kept in the town's archaeological store. Wikipedia EN calls it the “first of the Loire châteaux”: this is a judgement, not an established fact.

Getting there: Esplanade du Château, in Nevers; the building now houses the town hall and the tourist office (according to the tourist office). Opening hours not verified. Coordinates: Nominatim (OpenStreetMap).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound