Germolles Castle

Germolles, the only princely palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.

In 1380, Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, acquired the fortified house of Germolles for his wife, Margaret of Flanders. The Duchess transformed it into a luxurious residence where the finest artists of the Burgundian school worked (Claus Sluter, Jean de Beaumetz). A visit allows you to discover the cellar, the lower chapel, and the entrance towers, vestiges of the original fortress, the great hall, the chapel, and the ducal apartments, as well as those of the court. Painted and sculpted decorations and paving tiles attest to the quality of the site. The hamlet preceding the castle and an English-style park designed in the 19th century complete the grounds. Germolles is not only one of the few French palatial and princely residences of this period, but also the only pleasure residence of the Dukes of Burgundy to be so well preserved.