Issue No. 12

What to see close to Langres
Chateau de Pailly
Langres today is a sleepy sort of a town
where people are friendly and say hello to
strangers – it wasn’t always so. The original
Chateau de Pailly which was built in the
11th century was destroyed by the people of
Langres in retaliation for the Burgundian
owner’s support of the English in the 100
years war.
English guide Toni who volunteers at the
Chateau is happy to show visitors round
the “new” chateau which was rebuilt in the
1400s by the de Saulx family. It has a
fascinating history though the facts are a
little sketchy on account of the documents
about this lovely stone castle being
destroyed in a fire in Langres in 1892.
Useless fact fans will appreciate knowing
that one time owner Gaspard de Saulx,
known for his excessive persecution of
Protestants in France appeared in British
TV series Doctor Who. Well, not him, actor
André Morell played him in the 1966 serial
“The Massacre of St Bartholomew’s Eve” in
which Gaspard played a role. Sadly, if
you’re keen to watch – no known footage
of the serial featuring William Hartnell as
the Doctor, and Peter Purves as his able
assistant, is available.
It was Gaspard de Saulx who also gave the
castle its Renaissance upgrade making it
one of the finest examples of its kind in
France.