Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Our visit to the Chateau started with the historical panels next to the gift shop, while the origins of the Chateau are not precisely known, they speculate that it was originally built in the 1220s as a fortress and residence by Guillaume II and Adam III of Melun. Over the years it was used as a residence by some of the most powerful families in the region. In 1707 it was purchased by the duke of Villers who turned it into a farm, it was resold to another duke and eventually purchased by the municipality in 1883.
After reading up on it's history, you can climb the many towers for a fine view over the area. The rooms are not decorated or furnished so you really don't get a feel of how people lived here or if they lived in those parts of the chateau since it's function and form changed so much over the years. But it has been restored to it's 17th century appearance and is visually quite a stunning example of a medieval castle.
There's a 6€ admission fee, most of the signage is in English in addition to French. They also have a tour brochure in English. Closed Tuesdays and between 12:30 and 1:30 for lunch. Open 10-6 in the summer and 10-5 in the winter
Updated Sep 28, 2011
Helpfulness
Just as all the houses around the fortress, this church is lovely from the outside. It’s open to the public and worth a short visit. Don’t expect something impressive. It's a perfect reflection of the whole town, simple and honest. Photo 3 shows the inside of the church.
Written Jul 9, 2008
Address: Close to the fortress
Helpfulness
In the weekends, the castle is the place to be for artistic programs, such, as theatre, concerts, shows…
For this issue, bothering ugly plastic party tents cover most of the inner courtyard of the castle. This might be susceptible for improvement.
Written Jul 9, 2008
Helpfulness
This castle is the main must see in the village. Start with the introduction at the central scale-model before visiting the keep and the towers.
This is all I can write about it. I have the idea that the whole site is scarcely out of the egg. The rebuilt castle is as good as naked and still smells like new. No decorations, no furnishings, no signposting, no notices...
We got a small printed guide with a floor plan and some explanation, but it was very muddling. The different rooms in the castle were not interesting while there was nothing to see and no info.
In one of the towers we hoped to see a slide show but unfortunately the picture on the wall showed that the lamp was expired.
Too bad. We haven’t taken much of it in. Who knows… in a few years it might be better.
The lady at the counter was very enthusiast and told us the whole story of the castle before we even paid the entrance. The visit sounded to be promising, however.
In a nutshell: just as in a new built house, this castle has no "soul" yet.
Check out the second photo to have an idea of the beautiful view from the leaded windows.
Some parts of the old fortress show bothering anachronisms, like a red-bricked chimney in front of a Medieval tower (third photo).
Updated Jul 9, 2008
Address: Center of the village
Helpfulness
The small town is isolated in the Brie region. I guess there must be a bus connection once or twice a day, but this would be a crusade.
Unfortunately, a car is a must.
While Blandy is a rather new tourist attraction, the town was almost empty and there was no parking problem neither.
Written Jul 9, 2008
Helpfulness
Another isolated sleeping vilage in the "Brie", a few kilometers NE of Blandy (10 minutes drive), with a beautiful large church, called "La collégiale Saint-Martin". However it's one of the major monuments of the Seine-et- Marne region, the curch breaths out simplicity. The central tiles of the church are covered by different used carpets, probably donations from parishioners.
Unfortunately the church from the 12th century has been damaged by the storms of december 1999. One can for instance see the cracks in the walls and a part of the destroyed stained-glass windows have been replaced by transparent leaded windows (second photo).
I strongly advice this small detour to visit this particular church. It's signposted from Blandy.
The entrance is free.
Written Jul 9, 2008
Website: http://www.collegialedechampeaux.com/monument.htm
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: Until September 2008, there is a small exhibition of the artist Pascale Marthine Tayou in some of the rooms of the castle. Art with a playful wink to our consumer society and the waste problem. He called his exhibition MATITI ELOBI, which means “bidonville”, refering to a city made of recycled materials...
The exhibition is included in the entrance fee of the castle, which is 6 euros.
The photo shows filled plastic bags upon African masks which are resting upon 5 scales.
Updated Jul 9, 2008
Blandy-les-Tours, a lovely village
The rather unknown village of Blandy-les-Tours is located in the hearth of the “Brie” region( you know Brie, the French cheese), some 20 kilometers South of Disneyland Paris.. Blandy is a peaceful......
Our last stop in the Ile de France before returning the rental car and heading to Paris was Blandy to see the Chateau de Blandy-les-Tours. From our hotel in Melun, it was maybe 15 minutes by car, if...
Build your own Blandy page
Comments