The Château de Villesavin

Built by the architects of Chambord

Built for Jean le Breton, finance secretary to King François I during the construction of Chambord

The Château de Villesavin was built for Jean le Breton, finance secretary to François I. In 1525, he was taken prisoner during the battle of Pavia and found himself locked in the same fortress as François I. When the two men returned to France, François I named le Breton Master of Works at Chambord.

The Chambord site foreman's hut

Work restarted at Chambord after over two years interruption due to the wars in Italy. Le Breton supervised the works and paid the workers. François I gave Le Breton the lands of  Villesavin to build his own château. Calling on both French and Italian craftsmen and artisans from  Chambord, the Chateau de Villesavin was built between 1527 and 1537. It came to be be nicknamed "The Chambord building site foreman's hut."

After Jean le Breton passed away, the château passed into the hands of a number of great families of the nobility, including Jean Phélippeaux, advisor to King Henry IV. Earls and marquesses also lived here, some carrying out modifications during the nineteenth century. Today, the third generation of the Sparre family keep the flame alive.

The wedding museum

The museum's collection started life in Mont-Dol, in Brittany. It took more than 35 years to build, with over 1,500 exhibits. The first purchases were the collection of magnificent globes.

Discover the museum's reconstitution of the grand moments of the wedding ceremony with a series of wax characters. From the preparation of the bride's posy to the nuptial chamber, you'll be amazed by the period costumes from between 1850 and 1950. The moral and social values of the past are brought to life before your eyes.

At one time, marriage was considered to be the most important event in a lifetime. Families prepared years in advance in order to make the day perfect. Girls were given a special kit containing various valuables, sheets, towels and other cloths, usually sewn and embroidered by hand. This "trousseau" was prepared meticulously by the bride's family.

The museum tour ends in the Hall of Globes. These globes were traditional wedding gifts, trophy, containing the "wedding crown," and more than 350 models are on display. These crowns would symbolise the mother's wishes for her daughter's future life.

  • The oak leaf symbolised long life for the happy couple, the dove their peace.
  • The wedding globes would be displayed in the newlyweds' home for as long as they lived, and have become our ancestors' heritage.