Visit the castle and other Ancy-le-Franc, France Things to Do Tips

The castle of Ancy-le-Franc was built in the middle of the 16th century for Antoine de Clermont, the brother-in-law of Diane de Poitiers, mistress of Henri II. In the late XVIIth century, when the Clermont-Tonnerre family was ruined , it came into the Louvois 5louis XIV's minister) family's possessions but later went back to the Clermont-Tonnerre's until 1950.

More Italian than French, the castle is the work of the Italian Sebastiano Serlio, one of the most important architects the Renaissance.
Serlio was brought to France in 1540 by François I to work on his palace in Fontainebleau.

The exterior is a bit austere, but the inner courtyard is very refined and follows the principles of classical architecture and offers a completely symetric plan.

Some of the apartments are beautiful, decorated by Italian artists like Primaticcio and dell'Abbate.

The visit is possible only with a guide since the internal decoration is so fragile and, for the same reason, photography (even without flash) is not allowed inside.

Open from end March to mid November, tuesday to sunday.
The visit is about one hour and costs 8€, schedule : 10h30am, 11h30, 14h, 15h, 16h and 17h. Guided visits in English are possible on request.

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Phone: 33 (0)3 86 75 00 25
Address: 18 place Clermont Tonnerre 89160 Ancy-le-Franc
Website: http://www.chateau-ancy.com/
Other Contact: information@chateau-ancy.com

Abundant clay, forests, and the relative proximity of Nevers (great faience center since the XVIth century), decided Charles César Tellier de Louvois in 1765 to create a ceramic's manufacture in his castle of Ancy le Franc.

The local earthenware with decorations (flowered, geometrical, patriotic, animals...) was strongly influenced by what was produced in Tournai and became common in the area (also more specific blue patterns, called "Bleu d'Ancy").
Parallel to the ceramic's production some attempts at china's production were done but without great results.

During the Revolution, the activity stopped and begun again around 1800, near the Porte de Perreuse, but declined soon again to close in 1808.

Today, from the earlier factory, subsists only a building at the 57-59 Grande Rue (albeit very transformed) and another one, divided into dwellings on the 62 of the same street. But you can still see fine examples of the past production in a small museum located in the former factory's place (now hosting the local tourism office) .

Open every day from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 17h between november and march - 10h-13h and 14h-18h in summer.
Free entry (guided visits possible on request : 1€)

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Phone: (33) (0)3.86.75.03.15
Address: 59, Grande rue - 89160 ANCY-LE-FRANC
Directions: In the same building than the office du tourisme
Website: none
Other Contact: Fax : (33) (0)3.86.75.04.41