Little histories about Menetou-Salon castle

Vineyards and Sancerre

The name of Menetou comes from Monastellum Sarlonis, ″Sarlon’s monastery″, from the name of a Norman lord settled here in the 10th century. In the 12th century, a first fortress was raised.

On the next century, Sancerre lords owned the fief, but they abandoned the old fortress, to raise a more comfortable dwelling, on the location of the current castle.

Cheers, Jacques!

In 1448, a famous chap turned up: Jacques Coeur! The mighty and rich Treasurer owned the castle, because he liked the area (he was born in Bourges) and he was fond of Salon’s wine!

But Jacques fell in grace… King Charles VII seized his castle after his arrest and gave it to his own mistress, Antoinette de Maignelay.

The Arenberg

Guillotine and Talleyrand

The castle then fell to Jeanne de Graville then to her nephews, then in the 16th century to the Pot.

Guillaume Pot made alterations in the beginning of the 17th century (construction of the detached house). In the 18th century, Pauline de Gand de Mérode married count de Brancas-Lauraguais.

Their only daughter married Louis-Engelbert d'Arenberg in 1777... And the duchess de Brancas was finally guillotined during the French Revolution…

In the 19th century, Pierre d'Arenberg turned up with his wife Alix de Talleyrand-Périgord... famous minister Talleyrand's niece.

Lot of money!

Their son Auguste d'Arenberg entirely altered the castle with architect Paul-Ernest Sanson. A pretty familiar name! This man also altered castle of La Verrerie, also located in Central France!

Sanson added all the skylights, the pinnacles… according to the Neo-Gothic fashion!

The d'Arenberg

By the way, did you know who are princes-dukes d'Arenberg?

Coming from Hainaut, they used to rule on a small State from the Holy German Empire, next to Prussia.

They are the oldest noble family in Europe: they are mentioned since… 435!

The visit of Menetou

We can see:

• The dining-room, in the medieval wing, with its amazing ceramics • The billiard room, with the Arenberg’s portraits • The library (12000 books), with oak panelings and Italian chimney made of grey marble (coming from castle of Lavoûte-Polignac… Look at those animals’ heads, on the fireplace: if you push them, you activate a secret door leading to an underground! • The impressive collection of old cars