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"a carved diamond, set
in the Indre River"
Honoré de Balzac
Famous Renaissance castle
built on an island in the Loire tributary Indre. Azay-Le-Rideau was built
by Gilles Berthelot (Treasurer of François I) between 1518 and 1527.
Suspected of embezzlement by King François I, Gilles Berthelot was forced
to flee from Azay-Le-Rideau, leaving the castle uncompleted behind him
forever. He died a few years later whereas he was still in exile.
The youthful Dauphin Charles (next
King Charles VII) coming from Chinon on horseback for Tours in 1417, was ridding along the walled castle when he was insulted by Burgundian
guardsmen. The young Dauphin Charles attacked. The castle burnt down, 350
soldiers were dead, the town was then named Azay-le-Brûlé (Burnt) up to
the 18th century.
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