Bon week-end à tous - have a good weekend...Chateau de Cande

 

Chateau de Cande, well worth a visit.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - a favourite at Chateau de Cande

Great views from this bench at Domaine de Cande

 

Monday's chateau - Chateau de Cande

 

Chateau de Cande,with its  fairytale look has a story to tell.

Mon banc dominical/My Sunday Bench at Chateau de Cande.

Great views from this bench of the viaduct and the chateau at Domaine de Cande

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Cande and the man who would not be king.

 

Today we revisit Chateau de Cande, which has its own unique fairytale look, the chateau will not be on most Loire Valley visitor's 'must see' list but I think that, for British and American visitors especially, it should be! I say this because whereas the wonderful Chateaux de Loire will forever be linked with the French Royals and their colourful history, here we have an important link to to the history of the British Royal family and a scenario that was to change its course forever. For one thing Colin Firth would never have won his Oscar ('The king's speech') but more importantly Britain would have missed the influence of its 'Queen Mother' and 'Elizabeth II'. The event which was to change the country's history was that of the marriage of Edward, Prince of Wales to the American divorcee Wallis Simpson on June 3rd 1937.Wallis Simpson came here to escape the harassment of the press who were making life very uncomfortable for her where she was staying with friends in Cannes.Her friends were also friends of Fern Bedaux the wife of the owner Chateau de Cande . Her husband a rich American industrialist had bought the chateau 10 years earlier. Fern gave over her apartments here so as Wallis could get some peace.

As soon as you walk through the front portal you are met with the grandeur one would expect of any grand chateau of the Loire Valley but this is different in that it was neither built by, or used by, royalty. 'The man who would not be king' Edward , Prince of Wales would be the closest it would get. 

The main reception room of the chateau is referred to as the 'Red Sitting Room' reflecting the red silk fabric adorning its walls.It has a ceiling more reminiscent of a Tudor castle than a French chateau.

The dining room is quite dark due to its dark panelled and leather lined walls It was in this room the Windsors' buffet would have been laid out. Certainly large enough to cope with the sixteen people sent by the English court as representatives.

It has a rather splendid fire place and ceiling.

The library of the chateau is delightful and it is here that the mayor of nearby Monts performed the civil part of the wedding to conform to the laws of the country. The religious ceremony was performed in the 'music room' of the chateau.

On one of the panels to the right of the fireplace is engraved with the words 'Ed was here' - only joking it is in fact the signatures of  Edward & Wallis.

At the opposite end of the room there is an American made 'Skinner' organ one of only twenty left in the world and one of only three in working order. Interestingly the organ, with its 1,878 pipes, was classified as Monument Historique by the French government in 1993.

The bedrooms are as you'd expect but the bathrooms on show (two of the eight) are a surprise...

beautifully tiled with coloured glass mosaics.

Off one of the bedrooms there is a charming spiral staircase leading to a roof terrace which is unfortunately out of bounds- would have loved to have seen that.

The dressing room has a display of outfits from major designers of the time plus there's a small selection from  Wallis' wardrobe. Her panther jewels from Cartier are on display, her painted luggage,elegant handbags, and some of the gowns made for her. 

It is interesting to see she had a little crown designed into her bags - perhaps in anticipation (wrongly) of becoming 'royal'

  Last but not least we have the 'Music room' where the couple were married in a religious ceremony.

A copy of the dress Wallis wore is on display beside a copy of the Cecile Beaton photograph marking the occasion - in which Wallis looks decidedly unhappy.

To visit the chateau is to step back in time and sample a little piece of its history.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench and what a view,

 

In the grounds of Chateau de Cande

Have as good a weekend as you can but get home early...

 

 

Chateau de Cande

Have a good weekend...from the Loire Valley 18th/19th January

Chateau de Cande

Chateau de Cande probably most famous for a scenario played out here that was to change the course of the British Royal family forever.

Friday from a different angle - Chateau de Cande

The Chateau de Cande is famous as the setting for the marriage of Edward, Prince of Wales to American divorcee Wallis Simpson on June 3rd 1937 but the chateau and grounds are well worth a visit in their own right.

  

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Cande

Chateau de Cande probably most famous for its link to the history of the British Royal family and a scenario played out here that was to change its course forever.

Something else for the weekend at Chateau de Cande

Official website

Our page on Chateau de Cande

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Cande

Chateau de Cande is famous as the setting for the marriage of Edward, Prince of Wales to the American divorcee Wallis Simpson on June 3rd 1937 but the chateau and grounds are well worth a visit in their own right. It is a popular visit for both UK and American guests at our holiday accommodation here in the Loire Valley

You can read more here

Celebrating a marriage of much inconvenience...

Chateau de Cande is currently advertising an exhibition of 'the marriage of the century', that of Edward, Prince of Wales to the American divorcee Wallis Simpson on June 3rd 1937. Not sure how it differs from the usual excellent display but if you haven't been it is well worth a visit.

From Chateau Cande's website:

"Back on the marriage of the century: the Candé estate proposes you to relive this incredible marriage called “marriage of the century”.

Until June 04th, come to discover this famous marriage as you have never seen it ! New scenography of the castle and other surprises wait for you!"

Loire Valley chateaux...something for everyone, Chateau de Cande.

Guests who stayed recently at 'Les Balcons' a vacation rental in Le Grand Pressigny said one of the highlights of their visit was a visit to the delightful Chateau de Cande and its grounds. The chateau sits on the D87 just south of Tours so can easily be added to you chateaux visiting itinerary. It will not be on everyone's list but 

for returning visitors, as they were it is well worth the detour.

The main draw of this chateau for British and American visitors lies in the part it played in the history of the british monarchy, it was here that the wedding of Edward, Prince of Wales and American divorcee Wallis Simpson took place in 1937. It was an event that had the world's attention and you can relive the experience.

You can stand in the room where they married, the library where they signed the register...

You can also check out the wooden panel by the fireplace in the in the library where, at their host's request, their names were carved in the paneling. 

Or have your photograph taken on  the steps of the chateau where the couple presented themselves to the world's press.

Away from Edward and Wallis the chateau itself is worth the visit as it retains many of its original features,like its art deco bathrooms and each room is very well furnished.

The grounds of Chateau Cande are free to visit and ideal for picnicking...if its history doesn't attract you.

Check out our webpage on Chateau Cande here

Official website here

Other blogposts here

A walk in the park...

A walk around Chateau de Cande