Château de Beauregard

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This article is about the château in the Loire Valley. For the Pomerol winery, see Château Beauregard.

Château de Beauregard, viewed from the front.

The Château de Beauregard is a palace in the Loire Valley in France. It is a little south of the city of Blois and a few miles from other famous Loire châteaux such as Cheverny. Although still inhabited, it can be visited by tourists.

[edit] History

Most of the château was built around 1545, when it was bought by Jean du Thier, Lord of Menars, and Secretary of State to Henri II. The commissioned interior included frescoes on the fireplace of the royal chamber, which have survived. In the Great Gallery there is a fireplace in Italian style from this period. However its main feature was commissioned by Paul Ardier, Comptroller of Wars and Treasurer, who bought the château in 1617. He added further interior decorations over the next few decades, including a gallery of portraits.