DESTINATION
IDEAS
England
Germany
Italy
France
Switzerland
Castles
Museums
Cathedrals
War
History
Family
Travel
Wine & Food
Motorsports
Romantic
Stays
Bargain Travel Europe
guide to Europe on a budget for vacation destinations, travel ideas and
secret spots missed by travel tours.
NOGENT-SUR-SEINE
Kings, Lovers and Chateau of Dangerous Liasons
Our
image of historic France in the Grand Siecle days of kings and court
intrigue come to us from
movies like
Milos Forman’s version of “Dangerous
Liasons” the oft told story of French sexual politics in the 18th
Century. Scenes from that film were shot at the elegant Chateau La Motte-Tilly
a few kilometers from the Champagne plains town on the Seine River of
Nogent-Sur-Seine. Less than an hour from Paris (and 30 minutes from Paris
Disney) between the Champagne region capital of Troyes and the medieval
walled town of
Provins
(see
Provins
- Medieval City). This area of the Champagne region where
it meets the Seine-et Marne is probably less known for the bubby wine
(a
little
farther
east
in the rolling hills) than it is for its apple cider and mushroom farms.
Nogent-Sur-Seine
is a quaint and quiet French country village whose founding dates from
Gallo-Roman
times
at a bend in the Seine River before
it wanders across the flat plains toward Paris. Noted for its
walks along the riverbanks and its half-wood paneled houses, Nogent’s
most notable building in town is the Pavillion of Henry IV dating from
the
16th Century where the French king met with Gabrielle d’Estree
and now houses a changing series of exhibitions of local arts and culture,
crafts and history. The house is located a few blocks from the SCNF rail
station and across the river from the main old town with its “cereal
wharf” from early medieval times, 
and
within view of the local nuclear power plant up river. Within view across
the gentle Seine in the center of the ville is the unique
Gothic
church
tower
of
St. Lawrence.
The “Maison
de la Turque” is
a house once owned by a Turkish woman which served as inspiration for
French novelist Gustav Flaubert in his “A Sentimental Education”.
The Paul Dubois and Alfred Boucher Museums house archeological collections
from Paleolithic times the Roman days along with sculptures of Dubois,
Boucher and Camille Claudel. Nogent-sur-Siene
stategic location onthe appraoch to Paris is noted for battles in the
100 years war between England and France and features in the history
of Joan
of
Arc.
The Hugues
de
Payns
Museum
of the Templar Knights is a few kilometers to the east (see Secrets
of the Templars).
For more literary and historical heritage the tiny romantic hamlet of
Le Paraclet, the location of the famed and tragic medieval lovers Heloise
and Abelard is nearby.
The Chateau La Motte-Tilly built in 1754 is a few minutes to the south,
set on a formal garden grounds is a French national monument site. The
Chateau is fully furnished in its original 18th century style, spurred
by noble born art historian the Marchioness of Maille. The Chateau, its
park and expansive grounds are open Wednesdays to Sundays from March
15 to November 15. Night tours are offered in summer by guides in traditional
period garb taking visitors back to the times of original resident the
Abbot Jean Terray, financial minister to Louis XV who obviously managed
to save a little for himself from the royal treasury. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find hotel deals and read reviews in Champagne
Web Info
Chateau La Motte-Tilly
Valley of the Seine Tourism
These articles are copyrighted
and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and
may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
See Also:
TROYES HEART OF AUBE CHAMPAGNE
Discover Cheap Travel in Europe on a Budget with Bargain Travel Europe ©2006-08 Winged Lion Entertainment Ventures, LLC