The busy little town of Sully (pop. 5,830) is picturesquely situated on the Loire. The château, flanked by round towers with conical roofs and surrounded by a moat, was built in the 14th C and enlarged in the 16th. The interior is worth seeing.
Sully several times provided a refuge for the young Voltaire, who wrote and produced his first plays in the château.
This castle is known for possessing one of the largest and best preserved donjons for its period.
The Château of Sully (15km/9.5mi northeast of Autun) was built in the 16th century on the site of a medieval castle. Marshal MacMahon, Duke of Magenta and President of France from 1873 to 1879, was born here in 1808. The Château is surrounded by a large park.
Address: Château de Sully sur Loire, F-45600 Sully-sur-Loire, France
Hours:
February 1 to March 31: 10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
April 1 to September 30: 10am-6pm
October 1 to December 31: 10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The International Music Festival runs from mid-June to mid-July in the village of Sully and nearby Orleans. There are usually between 15 and 20 different events, ranging from operas, classical concerts, piano and vocal recitals, dance performances and even jazz gigs.
Since the festival's inception in 1973, the events have been organized in a number of venues, including the château of Sully, and its outdoor Espace Auditorium.
Address: Festival de Sully, Orleáns and Lorient, BP 58, F-45600 Sully-sur-Loire, France
Tips: Most performances take place during weekends.