Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Switzerland: Chateau de Grandson

Charles the Bold's hat captured
 following Battle of Grandson
When we visited Switzerland in May 2017, one of our planned day trips from Lausanne was a visit to Chateau de Grandson on the banks of Lake Neuchatel.  The visit to Chateau de Grandson was prompted by a recommendation from Oli from Camisado blog.  A good tip it was too!  Since Grandson was within an hour of Lausanne and it was a drizzly morning, wandering around a chateau seemed a good way to spend half a day.

From Lausanne, we took a train to Yverdon les Bain and then a quick fifteen minute bus to the chateau, itself.  When we arrived it was still raining and cold.  A drizzle not uncommon to someone accustomed to rain in the Pacific Northwest.  The rain did not dampen our spirits...much.  After being dropped off in front of the Chateau, we showed our pass and entered the chateau.  Before entering the building, we took a quick stroll around the ramparts.


After entering the chateau, we wandered into the armory with its many displays.  Included in the displays was a wall of toy soldiers,
a large camp scene diorama,


and a diorama depicting the Battle of Grandson in 1476. 




After scrutinizing the dioramas, I moved on to the arms portion of the museum laid out on display along the walls of a Great Hall.  All manner of Medieval weapon was on display but the assortment of crossbows was most impressive.











The exhibit even included a more modern weapon: a Swiss cannon from the time of the Seven Years War.

In addition to case after case of arms lining the walls of the Great Hall, a fine display of armor was present as well. The armor display I will save for another installment of Swiss travels.

30 comments:

  1. Great photos - those Flats are fantastic.

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    1. Glad you liked the photos although the photos do not do the flats justice. Really marvelous.

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  2. Very interesting, lovely pictures, dios and weapons!

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    1. A terrific museum to visit especially if interested in the Burgundian Wars.

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  3. What a great place to visit. Some of those weapons though are enough to make a man squirm uncomfortably in his seat!

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    1. Indeed! A great little side trip from Lausanne and perfect for a drizzly day.

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  4. Interesting stuff. The pictures make a great color reference, thanks.

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  5. Wonderful interlude: very enjoyable to follow along. Seeing those dioramas reminded me of similar ones I saw during my time in Europe. You really get a new perspective and appreciation for "flats" when seen in those kinds of displays.

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    1. Ed, the flats are really eye-catching. There is a huge diorama in the Swiss National Museum showing the Battle of Murten. Even more impressive than the ones shown here.

      Where did you see similar dioramas in your European travels?

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    2. The Bavarian Army Museum has several: an amazing Battle of Leipzig, Leuthen (SYW), and Zusmarschausen (1648). I visited there when I was stationed in Germany long ago. If you google Bavarian Army Museum, Inglostadt, battle dioramas, they’ll turn up, along with a few vignettes.

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  6. Looks like a great museum, nice building and great content!
    Best Iain

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    1. Fabulous collection. Charles the Bold's gold hat alone must be worth a small fortune.

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  7. Replies
    1. Glad you like them and even better to see a comment from you, Greg. It has been a long time.

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  8. I have to put this on my places to visit if I get back to Switzerland. I enjoy looking at flats but don't think I'd have the skill to paint them.

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    1. Grandson is a good place to put on your visit itinerary next time you are on the French-speaking side of Switzerland.

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  9. What a fantastic looking place...

    Thank you for sharing...

    All the best. Aly

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  10. that looks like a very good castle indeed....model soldiers as well 🙂

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    1. Castles, arms, armor, and toy soldiers; who could ask for more? Oh, yes, there is an antique car museum in the basement!

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    1. Indeed! Perhaps the hat is what made Charles "The Bold?"

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  12. That looks a pleasant place to while away an hour or two ... or a long weekend.

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    1. Exactly right! Also good on a drizzly day in Switzerland.

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  13. Thanks for the great tour - definitely worth the visit when I eventually get back to Europe!

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