The 16th century castle in Noizay was built by Georges de Vercle and Andrée, Lady of Noizay, between 1514 and 1540 on the site of a medieval castle dating back to at least the 12th century.  During the French wars of religion between Protestants and Catholics, the castle was the theater of certain episodes of the Amboise conspiracy.

 

In 1560, during the tutelage of Francis II, a group of protestants led by the Prince of Condé plotted to abduct the king, who was a virtual prisoner of the Guise family.  To lead the conspiracy, the Prince of Condé chose La Renaudie, whose troops were commanded by a gentleman named Castelnau.  The Duke of Guise, learning of the plot, assembled his own troops and transferred the young king and his court from the castle at Blois to Amboise Castle, which was easier to defend.
 
 
It was at this precise moment that Noizay Castle made its entry into the history of France: since Noizay was very near Amboise, the conspirators made the castle their secret headquarters.  But their plans were betrayed and the Duke of Guise ordered the Duke of Nemours to lay siege to Noizay Castle.  The ensuing bloody battle ended when La Renaudie, wounded by a crossbow arrow, was brought back to Amboise Castle and hanged along with his followers from the balcony of the castle, facing the Loire River, as an example to all.
 
 
Since then Noizay Castle has been the theater of other, much less bloody, adventures and served as an example throughout the centuries of the 'good life' in one of the favorite provinces of the kings of France.  The castle belonged to a number of different families and remained virtually unchanged until the middle of the 18th century, when it was restored after a fire damaged the main living rooms.  The ensuing years left no mark on its beauty, but in 1989 it was given a facelift and became the charming private abode that was later transformed into a four-star hotel with all the character of a historic castle.
 
Château de Noizay
37210 Noizay
Tel +33 (0)2 47 52 11 01- Fax +33 (0)2 47 52 04 64
eMail : noizay@relaischateaux.com

Home page : www.chateaudenoizay.com