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Thoiry is most famous for its 16th-century château with beautiful gardens, wild animal reserve, and gastronomy museum. Built by Philibert de l'Orme in 1564, the Château de Thoiry has a handsome Renaissance facade set off by gardens landscaped in the disciplined French fashion by Le Nôtre, and is positioned directly in line with the sun as it sets in the west at the winter solstice (Dec. 21) and as it rises in the east at the summer solstice (June 21). Heightening the effect, the central part of the château appears to be a transparent arch of light, owing to its huge glass doors and windows.
Owners Vicomte Paul de La Panouse and his American wife, Annabelle, have restored the château and park, opening both to the public. The distinguished history of the La Panouse family -- a Comte César even fought in the American Revolution -- is retraced in the Musée des Archives (Archives Museum), where papal bulls and Napoleonic letters mingle with missives from Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
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ADDRESS: |
Château de Thoiry, Thoiry. |
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PHONE: |
01-34-87-52-25 |
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ADMISSION: |
Château 30FF; Château, park and game reserve 100FF. |
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HOURS: |
Summer, weekdays 10:00am-6:00pm, weekends 10:00am-6:30pm; |
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NOTABLE OBJETS D'ART: |
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WEB SITE: |
http://www. |
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REMARKS: |
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respective sources throughout this site.