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Built during the Hundred Years'
War, the Chateau d'Artigny formed part of the defence system constructed
along the Indre River around the Montbazon keep. On 30th July 1912,
Joseph Spoturno, known as François Coty, the famous perfume maker,
bought the chateau. Attracted by the site, he had the chateau, which was
in a rather "patchwork" architectural style, demolished, in order to
build the present chateau in a pure 18th century style. Building lasted
from 1912 to 1929. At his death in 1934, the chateau was sequestered at
the demand of his many creditors. In 1940, the chateau was occupied
successively by the Headquarters of the Ministry of the Navy, by German
troops up to 1942 and by an Annex of the General Hospital of Tours.
Finally, it became a temporary hospital once again until 1946. When the
perfume maker's daughter inherited it in 1947, several offers to
purchase were made to her. Ultimately, it was Mr. René Traversac who
acquired it in 1959 in order to transform the chateau into a luxury
hotel. The Chateau d'Artigny has welcomed a number of eminent people,
such as the Queen Mother of England and the Negus of Ethiopia in 1963.
On 24th November 1973, the "International Monetary Conference" brought
together at Artigny the Finance Ministers of the five greatest world
powers (including V. Giscard d'Estaing). |
