Saving the patrimony of Amboise: the Italian heritage of château Gaillard

Luxury leads to everything! In a former professional life, Marc Lelandais presided the destinies of several French lifestyle brands, such as ST Dupont and Lancel, both of which he awakened from their lull. But that was before. Before this historian and ESSEC graduate was given the opportunity to acquire Château Gaillard, a royal domain gone by the wayside, in Amboise.

The safeguarded patrimony of château Gaillard

Thus, this deeply embedded entrepreneur decided to rehabilitate the palace of Charles VIII. Spanning 15 hectares, the restoration project was undertaken at a steady rhythm. During 5 years, 50 artisans, 300 employees and 10 craftsperson worked on bringing back to life this gem of the Renaissance in the Loire Valley, with its park and its forest, right in the center of town.Thus, he revealed his aesthetic passion for Italy by recreating the "Arte del Verde" or a 15th century botanical monk, Dom Pacello de Mercoliano, the greatest European gardener in 1500, who became a garden master and worked for the three kings of the French Renaissance, in the Jardins du Roy and the Orangerie.

Scattered around the garden and the park, the statues recall the passion of Marc Lelandais for Italy. © DR

As on this stainglass window, oranges are the red thread of the domain that have made them its major asset. © DR

A new Eden for fairy tale buffs

The château is similar to lace stone. It features period furniture and its delicate bay windows are ornamented with 8,000 stainglass panes and 36 mouth-blown polychrome medalions, in the purest tradition of master glass blowers. Theater of many historical events, the site, that welcomed the honeymoons of Marie Stuart and Catherine de Médicis, has once again found its natural vocation as a new Eden…

In this gallery of portraits, you will recognize the faces of Renaissance sovereigns. © DR

Nothing has changed in the kitchen where copper pots and pans proudly lord over the fireplace. © DR

A true history buff, Marc Lelandais will answer all your questions and unveil the secrets of the Orangerie Royale. © DR