For the last five years, the Chateau de Valençay has been preparing for a new room that will allow visitors to finally discover all the treasures of Talleyrand in Valençay. Located in the heart of the chateau, the new treasure room will play on the intimacy, proximity and discovery of an original collection of objects that once belonged to the Prince of Diplomats.
He, who liked to display an impenetrable face in public, to the great perplexity of his contemporaries, had a reputation for clever words and ferocious comments. His remarkable intelligence, combined with genuine political insight, made him an exceptional diplomat, capable of anticipating with unequalled discernment some of the great political upheavals that Europe would undergo in the 19th century.
Prestigious, precious or personal, the objects presented in this space will show some of the facets of the world of the Prince of Talleyrand, who knew so well how to stage his life and leave to posterity the task of disentangling the threads of his complex personality: “I want people to continue discussing for centuries what I was, what I thought, what I wanted”. (Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord)
The collection of court or dignitary swords, not intended for combat, conceals magnificent details finely worked with frames set with precious stones and worthy of a Prince.
In addition to the rare and prestigious decorations, besides the costumes which have been entirely restored with gold thread embroideries, the visitor will find more personal objects, given to or received from his good friends, objects related to work with a collection of document cases and in particular that of the “Congress of Vienna”.
Finally, unusual and intimate objects such as his invalid shoes and his pen, that he used in his last moments, will also give a human dimension to this unique presentation which shows the public for the first time the hidden treasures of the Chateau de Valençay.
On this occasion the Fondation Napoléon has deposited a miniature from its collection, painted on ivory by Frédéric Millet in the 1830s, framed in gilt bronze, represents Napoleon-Louis de Talleyrand-Périgord (1811-1898), nephew of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, son of Edmond de Talleyrand and also Duke of Valençay.
Photo album > A visit to the chateau de Valençy, by Elodie Lefort.
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