Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
That the chateau was inspired by the work at Chambord can be seen in its Renaissance dormer gables with support figures and statues. Sadly, after her son had died before ever seeing Montal, his gift chateau, his mother Jeanne had her grief inscribed into the stones. On the gable at the far right see " Plus D'Espoir" (hope no more). Most of the windows of the chateau are mullioned and there are 7 busts of the family spread across the two wings (a separate Tip), each under a decorative pediment. Between some of them in niches are symbolic staues. Below this a fanciful frieze runs the length of the two wings , while above below the roof line is a band of scallop shells. In the frieze are embedded initials (such as R for the dead son).
Updated Apr 19, 2009
A chateau is an ideal place to show off tapestries and several 16C Flemish ones are on view here in the various rooms as well as a more colorful one of the 17C from Tours. They are part of the decor and not prominently exhibited and we cannot identify their stories. Some ceramic ware of the period was on view including a group said to be made by Palissy.
Written Apr 19, 2009
In chateaux one of the more interesting features are elaborate mantel pieces. There are some at Montal. There are very few paintings of the period. (Important works are rare and the proper protection would be prohibitive today). We do not have the details on the two pictured here.
Updated Apr 19, 2009
Not only are the exterior and the staircase beautifully restored, but the interior rooms show the attention Fenaille lavished upon them. They are furnished with authentic 16 and 17C pieces and art objects, thus enhancing the museum-like function he desired. On the ground level is a Guard Room with a vaulted ceiling while on the main floor are a beamed reception room, the Salle du Cerf (Stag Room), the bed rooms and more. It is here that the mullioned windows can be appreciated with fine views of the garden and the countryside.
Written Apr 19, 2009
In the 1520's, building in the early French Renaissance style, Jeanne de Montal understood that having an interior staircase was the "in thing" (like at Chenonceau). She brought in the best designers and sculptor-stoneworkers to make this masterpiece made of the local light colored stone. It is open and carved from bottom to top. Even the pillared outer door has a lintel supporting statues in niches. This is sited at the inner angle and does not compete with the elaborate facade (separate Tips) in the Cour d'Honneur. The under sides of the stairs are fancifully carved; there are keystones in the vestibule. An imposing Guard's seat is at the lower stair end decorated with scallop shells.
Written Apr 18, 2009
Favorite thing: Its modern day story is important.In the mid 19C the chateau fell into the hands of an adventurer who had the art work stripped off and sold to satisfy his perpetual debts. These items are exhibited in many of the museums around the world. In 1908 it was purchased by M aurice Fenaille (1855-1937), a multi-multimillionaire oil-man who was one of the French principals of Esso. and a sponsor of Rodin. Possessed of unlimited funds, he obsessively and partially succeeded in repurchasing many of the objects or received permission to have them carefully copied. He acquired 16&17 C furniture and other art objects and restored the interior. He gave the chateau to the country (and the world) in 1913. It is very much worth a detour if you are in the region. The tours are self-guided by a booklet (in several languages).
Fondest memory: This is a castle lover's delight
Written Apr 14, 2009
I did not know that this town of pop. 372 even existed until I started writing about the beautiful chateau that is here. We had planned to spend a day driving around the Dordogne north of Gramat where...
Build your own Saint-Jean-Lespinasse page
Comments