Château de Germolles

Furthermore, it is a rare example of such a well-preserved residence in France in the 14th and the beginning of the 15th centuries, when most of the princely palaces of that period have almost entirely disappeared.

In the 2nd half of the 14th century, their financial situation was so critical that they had to sell the domain of Germolles which was purchased by the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold.

Similarly, a model sheepfold was built that reflected not only the Duchess's interest in sheep, but also the important contribution of that animal, through its wool, to the fortune of Flanders, in Burgundy.

Different kinds of destruction, voluntary or accidental, due in particular to the lack of maintenance, led to the loss of certain parts of the building.

The lower chapel has similar architecture but has sculptured decoration with both romanesque reliefs and gothic foliage.

Even if during the ducal period the château was no longer a fortress, the importance of the rulers of the place required the presence of an escort confined to the châtelet comprising the towers and the guard room.

It is adorned with capitals from the workshop of Claus Sluter representing a scene of Chrétien de Troyes’s novel, Yvain, the Knight with the Lion.

Made of enamelled terracotta, they are decorated with motifs such as daisies, lions that are the symbols of the rulers of the place as well as roses, thistles, sheep, suns, fleur-de-lis etc.

This is composed of a nave, as well as a choir (architecture) installed in the elegant octagonal turret built as a bartizan and a private and comfortable oratory with its own fireplace.

In one of the kitchens on the ground floor, the large gothic fireplace still in its original position evokes the activities of the place.

Gothic Revival architecture wall paintings with rose motifs were revealed during recent restoration work carried out in at the beginning of the 20th century.

On the first floor, the dressing room of Margaret of Bavaria (daughter in-law of the ducal couple and future duchess of Burgundy), still possesses its murals that have been recently restored.

The motifs P and M, initials of the duke and the duchess, cover the walls, along with thistles, a noble flower with sharp prickles which is the emblem of Margaret of Flanders.

General view of the Château de Germolles
The cellar (13th century)
The fireplace of the reception room (14th century) moved in the 20th century to the great hall of the château
The main building from the north (14th century)
The entrance of the large spiral staircase (14th century)
Medieval kitchen (14th century) transformed in a dining room (20th century)