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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Anet came into being in the 14th century with a castle built by Charles the Bad, Count of Evreux, dismantled in 1378 by Charles V. The estate was then transferred to Pierre de Brézé in 1444, then to his son Jacques, married to Charlotte de Valois, natural daughter of Charles VII. Diane de Poitiers, widow of Louis de Brézé, heir to the estate in 1531, became Henry II's favorite and undertook his reconstruction between 1547 and 1552.

Diane de Poitiers entrusted the works to Philibert Delorme, Jean Goujon and Jean Cousin, creating a "U" building with an honor courtyard, Renaissance gardens and a chapel decorated with stained glass and sculptures. The castle included elements of the medieval castle, such as a fountain and remains of the old fortress. The chapel, decorated by Primatice and Léonard Limosin, housed the apostles in enamel originally planned for Fontainebleau.

In the 17th century, the Duke of Vendôme, heir to the estate, profoundly altered the left wing, adding a monumental staircase and transforming the facades. He also created a large canal and rearranged the gardens, removing the Renaissance gallery. The castle became a luxurious reception place, welcoming the Grand Dauphin in 1686 with an opera by Lully.

The French Revolution marked a tragic turning point: the castle, confiscated in 1793, was looted and partially destroyed. The tomb of Diane de Poitiers was desecrated in 1795, and in 1798 the estate was sold and depopulated. In 1804, two thirds of the castle was razed with explosives, leaving only the left wing and the chapel.

In the 19th century, successive owners undertook restorations. The Count of Riquet de Caraman (1840) and Ferdinand Moreau (1863) partially rebuilt the north wing and restored the interiors with the help of architect Auguste Caristie. The stained glass of the chapel was recreated by Charles Lorin in 1906. The castle, classified as a historical monument in 1993, remains a private property open to the public.

The castle of Anet illustrates the fascists of the French Renaissance and the upheavals of history, from its splendour under Diane de Poitiers to its quasi-revolutionary destruction, before a partial resurrection thanks to passionate patrons.

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