Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Colliers, located between Muides-sur-Loire and Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the king's first architect. In 1733 François Pissonnet de Bellefonds, an officer of Chambord, became his lord before selling him in 1751 to the knight of Bela, a spy and chamberlain of the king of Poland. He secretly lived there with his mistress, Miss de Chauloy, and engraved an inscription in Basque above the door: " Laketouric ontzanogo" ("I like myself here because I feel good").

The castle, of style combining Italian influences (Loirefaçade) and "Mansard" (court of honor), housed 18th century murals in the dining room, inspired by mythological themes such as The Fall of Phaeton or Mars disarmed by Love. These decorations, partially painted on canvases inserted in woodwork, as well as the facades and roofs of the pavilion, have been classified as Historic Monuments since 1991.

After the death of the knight of Béla, the castle passed in 1779 to the Marquis de Vaudreuil, the last French governor of Louisiana, and was acquired in 1783 by the family of Gélis, who still own it today. The estate thus retains a rare historical continuity, linked to its architectural heritage and its illustrious occupants.

The castle is also known for its mysterious inscription in Basque and its role in the diplomatic and military history of the eighteenth century, reflecting the links between France, Poland and Sweden at that time. The surrounding landscapes, typical of the Loire Valley, add to its heritage charm.

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