| Château de Bois-Briand | |
| Native Name: | Château du Bois Briant (Bright Wood Castle) |
| Native Name Lang: | fr |
| Former Names: | chateau du Bois Briand |
| Alternate Names: | ChateauBoisBriand |
| Architectural Style: | medieval, (classical) 17th century |
| Owner: | Eric & Mijo Delalonde |
| Current Tenants: | Delalonde family |
| Location: | Nantes, France |
| Address: | 10 rue du Bois Briand |
| Location Town: | Nantes |
| Location Country: | France |
| Start Date: | 1405 |
| Completion Date: | 1699 |
| Opened Date: | 1405 |
| Inauguration Date: | 1405 |
| Renovation Date: | 1699, 1771 |
| Architectural: | medieval, XVII |
| Parking: | yes |
Château de Bois-Briand is a château located in Nantes, France. In 2008, the estate was listed as a "Monument National" by French Minister of Culture. This label was attributed thanks to three main considerations: the inspiring history of some landlords, the permanence of a consensual social life and the translation of this harmony into various gardens, buildings and botanical creations.
The original castle was named Bois-Briant, Bois-Brient and Bois-Brillant. These names referred to a wood enlightened by sun because it was (still is) facing South. The medieval castle became a "château" when it was sold by Charette family to Le Meneust des Treilles family, in 1699.The medieval defensive "castle" transformed itself into a "maison de plaisance" where pleasure was associated to economic productions (wine and dry fruits for sailors). Such "châteaux", designed for pleasure were named "Folies" in "Pays de Nantes". In other parts of France, the term "Folies" was used mainly to designate monumental ornaments in 18th century parks: false ruins (pyramids, obelisks), grottos, love-temples, friendship-temples and "laiteries". The street that led to the castle was named Avenue de Bois-Briant. Since its acquisition by the city of Nantes, Avenue du Bois-Briant became « rue du Bois-Briand ».
At the beginning of the 19th century, Bois-Briand becomes a shelter for a family of planters from West-Indies and Louisiana (Laure Gaigneron de Marolles was born in Elisabeth Town, New-Jersey, in 1801); Felix Cossin de Chourses, pirat (corsair) and slave trader buys Bois-Briand then transmit it to his daughter. His grandson marries an American-born princess Murat. His granddaughter gives birth to one of the inventors of automobile (Marquis de Dion).
1803 - Felix Cossin, a merchant, is elected on the Board of City of Nantes
As a pirat, Felix Cossin was famous for the capture, in 1792, (by his captains) of the Dutch brig « Dolphin » with « Les deux-Frères ». The boat was under the commandment of « Mylord Courtequeue » (= "Mylord short tail », a nickname he won because of his hair/catogan). The same « Mylord » captured, in 1793, the British brig Caractacus, the British 3-masts « La Charlotte », the US brig « Junon », the huge British vessel « La Henriette that was staffed with 623 sailors. « Mylord Courtequeue » was adopted as his son by Felix Cossin de Chourses.
1815 - Felix Cossin de Chourses buys Chateau de Bois-Briand
1816 - Felix Cossin deceases. Julie Cossin inherits Chateau de Bois-Briand
Some of his boats were very big: L’Oiseau, armed with big guns, was staffed with 100 « sailors », « La Confiance » was a 3 masts-vessel, « Les Deux-Frères was staffed with 120 « sailors » and equipped with 22 guns. Boats names were quite romantic: « L’Eugénie », « La nouvelle Eugénie », « La félicité », « Les Deux-Frères », « La Celestine », « La Musette » (18 guns!), « Le Chéri », « La Confiance », « L’Oiseau »…
In 1816, Julie Cossin inherits Chateau de Bois-Briand.She is 17 years old.Her niece Clementine Cossin will give birth to Marquis de Dion, in 1856.
1817 - Julie Cossin marries Alexandre, Charles, Gustave, Baron de Chassiron
1818 - Julie de Chassiron-Cossin gives birth to Charles Gustave MartinOn 5 December 1818, Julie Cossin gives birth to Charles Gustave Martin, Baron de Chassiron.
On 25 August Julie de Chassiron-Cossin deceases. She is 21.
Charles Gustave de Chassiron is a diplomat in Tunis. He publishes « Aperçu pittoresque de la Régence de Tunis ».
1850 - Charles Gustave de Chassiron marries Princess Caroline Laetitia Murat
Princess Caroline Laetitia Murat was born on 31 December 1833 in Bordentown (New-Jersey) to Prince Lucien Charles Joseph Murat and Caroline Georgine Fraser. Fraser ancestors were Nantes region landlords (from Anjou, more precisely) Their original name was « de la Frézelière". They joined the Normans to conquer England during Middle-Ages. « Frézelière » became « Frisel » then « Fraser ».During their honeymoon in Nantes, Charles-Gustave introduces his bride to his family. Then, he shows her Clisson, an artists paradise where Sculptor Lemot is building his famous Villa and its « Gardener’s house ». Caroline falls in love with romantic landscapes of Tiffauges and its castle. By that time, everyone had forgotten (and not yet recalled) the horrible crimes that had been accomplished there by ????, the famous tale's heroe « Bluebeard ».
1857 - Charles-Gustave de Chassiron is a diplomat in China, India and Japon
In 1861, he publishes « Notes sur le Japon, la Chine et l’Inde ». A museum was built in La Rochelle to display artistic treasures brought back by Charles Gustave de Chassiron from Extreme-Orient.
Indeed, the original castel was built (on one side) on the mouth of the Aubinière river, where Aubinière meets with Loire river. Before the huge 16th century Loire river floods, ChateauBoisBriand was (also) located on the banks of the Loire river. Sea tides influence is noticeable on Loire river, there. The Vikings invaded Western Loire Region using Loire river. Since these floods, Loire river bed has been postpone 2 miles further thanks to dams (called "levées", locally). The Aubinière is the administrative frontier between Nantes and Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire. The château is located less than 500 meters from the church and the shops of near-by village Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire. Before 1908, ChateauBoisBriand estate was located in the city of Doulon, until it was annexed by the City of Nantes.