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.