House-Museum of Alexandre Dumas-father (Castle of Monte-Cristo) description and photos - France: Paris (Topic)

House-Museum of Alexandre Dumas-father ("Castle of Monte-Cristo") (Chateau de Monte-Cristo) description and photos - France: Paris ... Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Chateau de Monte-Cristo.

Photo and description

The house-museum of Alexandre Dumas-father is located in the Paris suburb of Port Marly. This is not just a house - it is not for nothing that it bears the name "Castle of Monte Cristo". This is a charming fantasy brought to life by the great novelist, “one of the most charming follies,” as Balzac wrote about this place.

When Dumas thought about his own home, he was at the height of his fame. The success of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo brought him not only fame, but also money. The dream of a villa included two castles, a moat, an English garden with grottoes and waterfalls. Dumas hired the famous architect of that time, Hippolyte Durand, who did everything exactly according to instructions, and on July 25, 1847, a housewarming reception was held in the new estate.

Guests were greeted by a three-story Renaissance castle. Above the windows of the first floor are relief portraits of famous writers: Shakespeare, Dante, Virgil, Homer ... and above the entrance - Dumas himself. The family coat of arms of Dumas is carved on the pediment with his personal motto - "I love those who love me." The turrets above the roof are decorated with the writer's monogram.

Innocent boasting speaks of play and fun, not selfishness: Dumas was very generous all his life and supported everyone - mistresses, children, friends. One of the hangers-on always lived in the luxurious rooms of the Monte Cristo castle, and anyone could come to dinner.

To spend so much, you have to work hard. Dumas worked in a miniature Gothic castle of If, built nearby. It all consists of an office on the first floor, a bedroom with an iron bed on the second and a sentry platform on the roof.

Life ended in grand style naturally: in 1849, Dumas was forced to sell the estate, which cost him hundreds of thousands, for 31 thousand gold francs. The castle passed from hand to hand, collapsed, and in the end, in 1969, the next owner decided to demolish it in order to build 400 new houses on this site. A group of enthusiasts from the surrounding townships of Port Marly, Marly le Roy and Peck have formed a regional organization and the Society of Friends of Alexandre Dumas - specifically to save the estate and turn it into a museum. They bought both castles and the park, completely restored the facades, roofs, interiors, and in a scrupulous manner. For example, the Moorish living room was restored by Moroccan craftsmen under the patronage of the King of Morocco. Now everything is in the museum as it was during the life of Dumas.

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Topic: House-Museum of Alexandre Dumas-father (Castle of Monte-Cristo) description and photos - France: Paris.