The AIMs of the Fondation SAINT-LOUIS
The Fondation Saint-Louis, a non-profit organisationcreated in 1974, dedicates the majority of its resources to the conservation of heritage sites, former properties of the French royal family, continued improvement of the Château d’Amboise and the restoration of the royal Chapel of Dreux. It puts on and organises cultural events that help to spread French culture and history throughout the world. It administers the leading private fund of archives in France, classified as an Historic Monument, at the National Archives. It shares its know-how with prestige international institutions and associations, and initiates numerous conferences, exhibitions and editions of historic works.
Heritage sites open to the public
This symbolic site of the French history was the seat of the Valois kings’ court. The Kingdom’s nursery and cradle of the Renaissance, many royal children grew up at the château and held an unwavering attachment for the place, which still bears in its walls the changes and traces of the architectural evolutions of the great builder kings who lived there. Today, visitors can admire the splendid terraces above the Loire, the 15th and 16th century buildings, the gardens planted with Mediterranean species and the two impressive cavalier towers. The famous master Leonardo da Vinci is buried in the Château’s chapel.
>>To find out more visit www.chateau-amboise.com
The Saint-Louis Chapellooks out over the town, protected by the ancient fortress’s rampart of the Counts ofDreux. Built in the beginning of the 19th century by the Duchesse d’Orléans, mother of the future French king Louis-Philippe 1er, it houses the Bourbons-Orléans family tombs. The royal necropolis contains a number of works by great artists from the era: the stained-glass windows and mirrors were made in Sèvres and a collection of recumbent effigies was created by the greatest sculptors of the 19th century. An unmissable place for any art history lover.
>>To find out more visit www.chapelle-royale-dreux.com
The other properties of the Saint-Louis Foundation :