Welcome To The Duke's House

Hello, and welcome to the Castle Duche d'Uzes. My name is Eclaire and I will be your tour guide today.

Before we go inside I would like to tell you that no photos are allowed. 

I will tell you a bit about the history of this castle.

The first tower of the castle was built in the 900's for Bermond Count d'Uzes on an ancient Roman camp.  After the French Revoloution, the castle was owned by the people of France. In 1817 the Duke of Uzes bought it back.

 Now let's go into the cellar.  Sir, no photos!

This was originally used for storing food in case they were attacked.

 

The motto for the Dukes family is: "Ferro Non Auro" This means "All by the sword, not with gold."

You will see these words all over the castle.

Let's proceed into the Portrait Room.

The man in the huge portrait is the currrent Duke.

Now let's enter the drawing room. Sir, I said no photos!

Charles Emmanuel the Duke of Uzes in the early 1700s, was exiled from the court in Paris, so he had his castle in Uzes decorated. Do you want to know why he was kicked out of Paris? Too bad, I will tell you anyway. He tried to play a trick on Count Rantzau (the queen's cousin) by giving him a bitter choclate. The count spit it back at him. They had a duel and the Duke of Uzes won.

Follow me into the dining room.

 

The antlers on the walls are from deer that Ann de Mortemart shot. This duchess of Uzes was the first women in France to have a driver's licence.  She inherited the Veuve Cliquot champagne fortune. She became duchess when her husband died in a hunting accident.  He is not mounted on the wall.

Now as we walk to the Chapel, notice the Murano glass chandeliers (the finest glass in Venice).

 

The Chapel was restored in the 19th century.

Let's head to the dungeon!

These people were put in the dungeon for taking photos on the tour last year.

Let's go up to the tower!

Such an amazing view in all directions.

Place aux Herbs looks like a mini forest!

Here is a gargoyle.

These are not gargoyles.

Becareful of the steep windy narrow dark scary slippery stairs!

Thanks for visiting the Dukes castle.

Next tour, please meet in the court yard.

Eclaire (Eleanore)

P.S. The Duke's castle is a big tourist attraction in Uzes. It took us two months to knock on his door!