Chateau de Canisy

History

An Exceptional Historic Place

The current chateau was built on the ruins of a former medieval castle.

Several illustrious figures stayed there among whom King Henry IV, the Marshal of Matignon, and famous political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America, 1835).

In the 20th century, the chateau, after he had been in the midst of a Second World War battlefield, was consecutively occupied by the German army and by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Omar Bradley, whom commanded the first US army. 

Afterwards, the Major general James Rudder, who was the hero of the Pointe du Hoc, occupied the chateau as well. 

Then, the chateau was used as a military hospital.  

 

 

Marquis de Faudoas - Chateau de Canisy
Chateau de Canisy
Chateau de Canisy
Chateau de Canisy

A tradition of Hospitality

The close link between the chateau de Canisy and the U.S.A. and also its tradition of hospitality are preserve by welcoming many prestigious guests such as Robert McNamara, Henry Kissinger and numerous political leaders of all the countries in America, Asia and Europe for the Aspen Institute meetings.

Every year, it also hosts American governors, members of the US Congress and military Officials to celebrate D-Day.

In the past, the chateau has received Empress Masako of Japan, Infanta Elena of Spain and many famous musicians and singers such as Joan Baez.

A CULTURAL PURPOSE 

The chateau is very loyal to its cultural purpose. For a long time, Laurent Terzieff performed at the chateau. The theater was named after him as well as Jean Rochefort, whom was a equestrian and a horse show enthusiast. 

Many concerts were performing: various artists and friends shared their talents at the chateau such as the pianist Anne Quefellec, the harpist Marielle Nordmann and the singer Joan Baez. 

 

A castle in the same family for a thousand years

The owners of the chateau, Count and Countess de Kergorlay and their children Marie-Victoire and Henry-Louis are the descendants of some of William the Conqueror’s companions and their family includes many leading figures whose names have been given to several suites in the chateau, among whom the Empress Joséphine who was Napoléon’s first wife and a close cousin of the family of the Countess.

One of the ancestors of the Kergorlays was the son in law of famous Charles Carroll of Carrollton who signed the American Declaration of Independence.