THE COURTYARD FRESCOES

Despite the adverse effects of the weather, the splendour of the painted decorations on the wall is still evident. Georges de Challant wanted to celebrate his family’s greatness by creating a composition of coats of arms, a sort of memorial and invitation to the younger generations to follow the example of their ancestors. Indeed, it was named Miroir pour les enfants de Challant. On the central wall of the building, particularly eye-catching are the Savoy coat of arms, the Challant coat of arms with a lavish crest – a helmet with flamboyant decorations – and the coat of arms of Louis de Challant and Marguerite de la Chambre supported by laurel festoons and framed by a crown held up by mermaids. In the lower part a scene with the battle between Hercules and the giant Antaeus is depicted, while at the top there are medallions with portraits of famous characters.