Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Chantilly Castle, located in Courcelles-de-Touraine in Indre-et-Loire, is a former seigneurial residence built in the 16th century, and then redesigned in the 17th century. It is distinguished by a fortified gate to the west, with drawbridge grooves and a corbelled turret, reflecting its defensive origin. Inside, the ground floor retains a 17th century painted ceiling, decorated with various motifs (mythology, flowers, stylized ornaments), illustrating the evolution of the artistic tastes of the period.

The monument belonged to several noble families, including the Escotais, local lords from the 17th to the 18th century. Among them, Ambrose des Escotais (1604), Ambrose II (1666-1701) and his wife Élisabeth de Broc, then Michel-Seraphin des Escotais (1709-1736), captain of the king's ships, marked his history. The last known owner was Louis-Jacques-Roland, Earl of Escotais, who was the mayor of the Hussard camp in the 18th century. These successions reflect the anchoring of the castle in the Tourangelle aristocracy.

Partially classified as historical monuments in 1949 and 1950, the castle protects its facades, roofs and painted ceiling on the ground floor. These measures underline its heritage value, mixing late medieval heritage and beautifications of the Renaissance. Its inscription in the official lists makes it a preserved witness to the seigneurial architecture in Touraine.

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