HISTORY




POSTCARDS
THE OWNERS
AMBOISE FAMILY 1504 – 1555
The house of Amboise is one of the oldest family of the French nobility. It will give France a line of powerful prelates before dying in the seventeenth century. GEORGES I OF AMBOISE – PRIME MINISTER OF LOUIS XII & CARDINAL 1460 – 1510 Louis XII, proclaimed King in 1498, became Georges d’Amboise his prime minister, he later became Cardinal. He worked successfully at the marriage of the King and Anne of Brittany, linking the duchy to the crown of France. Mighty French politician of his time, he is also a great builder, involved in the rebuilding of the castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire and the building of the castle of Gaillon. The Cardinal acquires the seigniory of Vigny in 1504 It is the latter who will erect the castle in its present dispositions.* * *
MONTMORENCY FAMILY 1555 – 1694
The castle was briefly con fi scated to the family following the betrayal of Henry II of Montmorency in 1632. Louis XIII then returned it to his sister, Marguerite de Montmorency, Duchesse de Ventadour, who was involved enormously in Vigny and especially in France. During this period, writings testify to the attachment of King Louis XIII to the estate that stayed there, particularly in 1634 and 1636. Cardinal Richelieu also resided there.
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FAMILY OF ROHAN-SOUBISE 1694 – 1822 FAMILY OF ROHAN GUEMENEE 1829 – 1844
The estate of Vigny became the possession of the family Rohan-Soubise in 1694 by game of succession.Il then returned to the young Charles de Rohan-Soubise in 1727. The latter will be an inseparable friend of Louis XV, Minister and Marshal of France he It was particularly famous during the many military campaigns of the sovereign. Vigny will be a place of residence appreciated by the Rohan, the latter will give a great celebration in 1729 on the occasion of the birth of the Dauphin.
BERTHE OF ROHAN GUEMENEE – THE LAST PRINCESS 1782 – 1841* * *
VITALI FAMILY 1867 – 1922
The Counts Vitali come from the princes of Sant’Eusebio, an illustrious Venetian family who marked the history of the city for more than 800 years. Exiles following the Napoleonic conquest, they will develop a French stock which, close to the royal family, was strongly involved in the industrial development of the country.
PHILIPPE VITALI PRINCE Sant’Eusebio, ENGINEER & RAILWAY ENTREPRENEUR 1830 – 1909 Prince of Sant’Eusebio, Count Philippe Vitali was a great French engineer and railway contractor. He will build and operate railroad networks in Europe, the Middle East and Asia that will make his fortune. He will also engage in many social works, including Vigny.Il will buy the castle in 1867 in an alarming state, and undertake its deep restoration in the troubadour style that still characterizes today. GEORGES VITALI – WAR HERO 1861 – 1925Georges Vitali will inherit his father’s title of Prince of Sant’Eusebio, as well as flamboyant family affairs. He will then develop his activity in Asia Minor, in which the Ottoman Empire is belatedly committed to the development of its rail network. It is a veteran plane pilot who will engage in the French army at the beginning of the First World War. World despite his advanced age of 54, receiving three citations at the end of the latter. However, the war will have undermined all foreign investment of the family business, and the count had to separate with great regret from the castle. Vigny in 1922.