Château de Culan

The castle's origins date back to the early 12th century, when it was built as a stone successor to an older wooden fortification. In 1188, the complex was besieged and destroyed during a conflict between King Philip II Augustus of France and the English King Henry II Plantagenêt. The castle's current appearance, complemented by later Renaissance elements, emerged from the 13th century onwards and was continuously expanded and modified until the 15th century. In 1582, the then Barons of Culan were forced to sell, and around 1600, the estate came into the possession of the Duke of Sully. Later, Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, was also among its owners. During the turmoil of the Fronde, Cardinal Mazarin, a rival of Condé, had the castle's defensive walls dismantled. From the late 17th century, the castle belonged to the La Tour d'Auvergne families and the Prince of Croÿ. During the French Revolution, the castle's lands were divided, and the complex was sold as national property. Numerous figures such as Joan of Arc, Louis XI, Madame de Sévigné, George Sand, and Frédéric Chopin were guests here.