Château de Montjeu (Burgundy – France)
Built in the heart of the largest private enclosed park in Europe – 704 hectares surrounded by 10.6 km of walls – the Château de Montjeu was built at the beginning of the 17th century (1606-1622). It was Pierre Jeannin (president of the Parliament of Dijon and adviser to Henri IV) who undertook its construction.
Many people were surprised at the time that “the President” chose such a place, completely deserted, to build a castle. He replied: “I will always be far enough from my enemies and my friends will know how to find me”.
In 1734, Voltaire went to the castle to attend the wedding of the Marshal of Richelieu, and during the 19th century, it became the property of the Talleyrand family through a marriage.
In 1939, an industrialist of wood, Roger Louis Démon, buys the property and starts a great restoration work which will be registered as Historic Monuments after the war.
At the end of the 1980’s, the Franco-British billionaire Sir Jimmy Goldsmith acquired the property. He started a major restoration campaign, including the reconstruction of the gardens and ponds, which had fallen into ruin. The result is quite spectacular.
Please note: the castle of Montjeu is not open to the public.
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