HISTORY

 
 
The date of construction is imprecise to this day. However, we do know that in 1337 a manor was attested in Vigny. It has been verified that the castel was edified by Cardinal George I, the Prime Minister of Louis XII, in 1504. He was involved in rebuilding the castle, where he liked to rest far away from political affairs. At his death, he bequeathed the castle to his nephew Georges II, archbishop of Rouen, who later enlarged the estate. The castel belonged to the Amboise family for 45 years (1510-1555). It is interesting to note that his nephew Charles II of Chaumont d’Amboise assisted in the construction of the “Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire” and we can note similar design themes with the “Chateau de Vigny”.

 

Anne de Montmorency, symbol of rebirth acquired the estate in 1555 after the death of Charles II. The motto “Alpanos” can still be seen at the main entrance of the castle. The Montmorency family were in possession of the castle for 139 years (1555-1694). King Henry II apparently spent a night at the castle during the year 1555. By way of succession the estate was returned to Charles de Montmorency in 1563. Having no heir, Vigny was returned to his nephew Henry II, the Duke of Montmorency, who was beheaded for treason in Toulouse in 1632. It was then returned to his sister Marguerite de Montmorency, the Duchess of Ventadour.
 
 
The estate was later bequeathed to Louis-Charles de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour, whose only daughter was united to the Prince de Rohan in 1694. When he died in 1727, Vigny became the property of his 12-year-old grandson, Charles de Rohan, prince of Soubise and the future marshal of France and friend of Louis XV. However, Charles de Rohan had to release the castel due to financial problems.
 
In 1922 the “Château de Vigny” was bought by Count Robert Le Coat of Kerveguen, whose family sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Dewavrin in 1992. In 1984, the “Château de Vigny” was listed in the inventory of Historical Monuments. Subsequently, the Japanese company headed by Hisoto Mizumoto bought the castle in 2001 to offer French cooking classes. In 2009, the school closed its doors. After a decade of abandonment, the Château de Vigny was bought in 2016. The goal is to restore hope to the reconstruction of this superb French heritage.
 
 
 

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.
GEORGES II OF AMBOISE ARCHBISHOP OF ROUEN & CARDINAL 1488 – 1550 At death prelate, the castle returns to his nephew Georges II Amboise. The recommendations of his uncle to the King had previously made him the powerful archbishop of Rouen. He will be named Cardinal in 1545, shortly before his death in Vigny in 1550.

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MONTMORENCY FAMILY  1555 – 1694
The Montmorency are among the most prestigious families of the French nobility, very close to the royal family, the latter has given the crown an important line of marshals and illustrious constables. ANNE DE MONTMORENCY – CONNETABLE OF FRANCE IN 1536 MARECHAL AND GRAND MASTER OF FRANCE 1493 – 1567 Godfather of Queen Anne of Brittany to whom he owes his name, he was raised alongside Francis I of which he became a close friend and a powerful advisor. He distinguished himself by his great military skills, including the battles of Ravenna and Marignan. He was appointed Constable of France in 1536 following the defense of Provence by Charles V. He bought the estate of Vigny in 1555, King Henry II spent a night at the castle during this year. The constable will regularly stay in Vigny with regard to correspondence that we have reached. MARGUERITE OF MONTMORENCY 1594 – 1650

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 Rohans are a princely family of the duchy of Brittany which marked deeply the history of France by its numerous and illustrious branches. CHARLES DE ROHAN SOUBISE – MARECHAL OF FRANCE, PRINCE AND MINISTER OF FRANCE, FRIEND OF LOUIS XV 1715 – 1787

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
The estate of Vigny passed into the hands of the Rohan-Guéménée branch to the late succession of the Marshal in 1817. The latter was then a place of refuge for the supporters of the Restoration during the Revolution and the Empire.Contraints to sell the castle in 1822, it will be bought in 1829 by Princess Berthe de Rohan-Guéménée who will reside there until his death. The Rohan-Guéménée branch died in 1846 after the death of her husband, the Duke of Montbazon.

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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 – 1925

Georges 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.