Château de Chamerolles

Chilleurs-aux-Bois

At Chilleurs-aux-Bois, Chamerolles is a transitional château: it keeps the look of a medieval fortress, with its corner towers and drawbridge, but was designed as a residence. It was built in the first half of the 16th century by Lancelot I du Lac, chamberlain to Louis XII and then bailiff of Orléans under Francis I. His grandson Lancelot II converted to Protestantism in 1562; the château then housed a Protestant temple and became a centre of Protestant life in the region. In 1672 it belonged to Jacques Saumery, Colbert's brother-in-law. It passed to the Lambert family in 1774, then to Gaston Jessé-Curély in 1924. Occupied and damaged during the Second World War, it was put up for sale in 1970 and fell into ruin after 1976, when the City of Paris took charge of it. The Loiret departmental council bought the ruin in 1987. After five years of works directed by the architect Jacques Moulin, it reopened in 1992. The south wing now houses a museum devoted to the history of perfume and hygiene. The château has been listed as a historic monument since August 1927.

Getting there: Route de Gallerand, in Chilleurs-aux-Bois, in the forest of Orléans. Visiting conditions not verified. Coordinates: Wikipedia (48°03′37″ N, 2°09′51″ E) and Nominatim, consistent.

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

Ambient sound