After the success of The Three Musketeers, one of the world’s most famous authors, Alexandre Dumas, created his new place of residence (with the help of the famous architect Hippolyte Durand) in a renaissance castle with a green setting on the hills of Port-Marly, just 30 minutes from Paris. A classified historic building in 1970, the setting of this architectural gem is in the heart of a vast park in the English style with adorned caves, rock gardens and waterfalls. On the sculpted facade of the castle are floral patterns and various strange animals alongside portraits of famous writers as well as Dumas’ own portrait medallion. The author’s initials are interlaced on the pinnacles of the castle, and you can also find his personal motto: “I love who loves me”. Inside, three levels depict the life of Alexandre Dumas with a many letters, portraits and personal objects. Make sure to see the magnificent and fully restored Alhambra-style Moorish room with it’s beautiful stained glass. On the hills facing The Château de Monte-Cristo, Dumas wanted a neo-gothic castle surrounded by water, where you can still see his study. A castle in his image of “extravagance” but also an isolated place to write some of his finest novels including La Reine Margot (Queen Margot) and The Count of Monte Cristo after which the castle is named.
© karen Gallo
© karen Gallo
