In 1547 Diane
de Poitiers, Duchess of Valentinois and mistress of king Henri II
of France, started building the château at Anet . Within five
years the work was accomplished, under the direction of the
famous architect Philibert de l'Orme and with the assistance of
Benvetuno Cellini, Germain Pilon, Jean Cousin and Léonard
Limousin .
In 1566, Diane de Poitiers died at
Anet . In accordance with her wishes, her daughter, Louise de
Brézé, Duchess of Aumale, erected near the château a chapel
(which has just been restored ) in which Diane's tomb was to rest
.
During the XVII th century the
château passed into the hands of the Duke of Penthièvre lived
there in grand style .
The French Revolution and the
years that followed almost brought about the destruction of the
château . It was first confiscated by the state then sold off as
" national property " . after it has been sacked,
demolition contractors began to pull down the building,
destroying the central part and the north wing .
In 1840 the of restorations
began-five generations of the same family have succeeded with
loving care and taste in restoring to this beautiful place part
of its former splendor, one of the outstanding examples of French
architecture of the day .
The château
d'Anet is situated at 78 km of Paris and at 16 km from Dreux .
From Porte Maillot in Paris take the motorway A14 then the A13
(towards Rouen), take exit N°12 to Mantes Sud then follow D 928
(towards Dreux).
For further information, please apply to :
Château d'Anet
28260 ANET
France .
Telephone 02.37.41.90.07.
Fax : 02 37 41 96 45
E-mail.
Opening days.
History. Virtual visit. Photos..
© 2006 Anet - reproduction interdite.
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