Mez-le-Maréchal Castle

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle, locally known as Château de Mez-le-Maréchal, lies in the woods east of the town of Dordives, in the Loiret department in France.

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was built in the early 13th century by Henry I Clément. He succeeded his brother, who had died during the Siege of Acre in the Holy Land in 1191, as Marshal of France and was close to the French king Philip II. It may have been built on the site of an earlier structure dating back to Roman times, as an old Roman road is going around it.

The castle stayed in the hands of the Clément family until the end of the 13th century when they died out. In 1314 it passed into the royal domain and was acquired by Philip the Fair (Philip IV of France). He offered it to Clementia of Hungary, his daughter-in-law, who visited it a couple of times. In 1328 it had passed to Philip VI of France, who then donated it to his wife; Joan of Burgundy. Philip VI and his court visited the castle a couple of times.

Up until the early 16th century Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was used by the French kings as a currency in exchange for loyalty from several military leaders. Its only military feat was when it was taken by English troops who were retreating from Montargis, in 1427.

In later centuries it went through the hands of numerous families and was sold a couple of times. It was used as a residence until the mid-18th century, after which it fell to ruin and was used as a quarry by the locals. In 2016 it was finally acquired by Florian Renucci, the master-mason of Guédelon Castle, which is a new 20th century castle being built in 12th century style in the French department of Burgundy.

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was built in the style of French military architecture of the 13th century, called "Philippian" after Philip II of France. It consists of a square enclosure with round towers at its corners and a gate, protected by 2 more round towers, in the middle of the north face.

At present Mez-le-Maréchal Castle can be visited on appointment, although I was not able to reach anyone by phone when I came by. It looks great and I regret not having seen its interior.

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Mez-le-Maréchal Castle

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle, locally known as Château de Mez-le-Maréchal, lies in the woods east of the town of Dordives, in the Loiret department in France.

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was built in the early 13th century by Henry I Clément. He succeeded his brother, who had died during the Siege of Acre in the Holy Land in 1191, as Marshal of France and was close to the French king Philip II. It may have been built on the site of an earlier structure dating back to Roman times, as an old Roman road is going around it.

The castle stayed in the hands of the Clément family until the end of the 13th century when they died out. In 1314 it passed into the royal domain and was acquired by Philip the Fair (Philip IV of France). He offered it to Clementia of Hungary, his daughter-in-law, who visited it a couple of times. In 1328 it had passed to Philip VI of France, who then donated it to his wife; Joan of Burgundy. Philip VI and his court visited the castle a couple of times.

Up until the early 16th century Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was used by the French kings as a currency in exchange for loyalty from several military leaders. Its only military feat was when it was taken by English troops who were retreating from Montargis, in 1427.

In later centuries it went through the hands of numerous families and was sold a couple of times. It was used as a residence until the mid-18th century, after which it fell to ruin and was used as a quarry by the locals. In 2016 it was finally acquired by Florian Renucci, the master-mason of Guédelon Castle, which is a new 20th century castle being built in 12th century style in the French department of Burgundy.

Mez-le-Maréchal Castle was built in the style of French military architecture of the 13th century, called "Philippian" after Philip II of France. It consists of a square enclosure with round towers at its corners and a gate, protected by 2 more round towers, in the middle of the north face.

At present Mez-le-Maréchal Castle can be visited on appointment, although I was not able to reach anyone by phone when I came by. It looks great and I regret not having seen its interior.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 2382