Among all locations that I had the chance to visit, there is one for which I feel a special attachment: the castle of Anet.
This is in 1993, all young passionate (at the time I said "fan") of James BondI went there for the first time. Why? Anet ? First because the place was very close to my home, but most importantly because I always had a weakness for Thunderball. Without being the best of the saga, I consider it the quintessence of the « Bond Mania », James Bond's Golden Age.
I didn't have any specific preparation, plan, or documentation (it was before iPhones and long before Internet!). The sequence of the film was simply engraved in my memory. We were in February, as when shooting, and he was also doing cold in 1965. An incredible memory.
Since then, I have of course returned to Anet many times but it's only in 2022 that I undertook, with my friend François, to achieve the most complete reportage possible.
Access to Castle is very limited: certain areas where the film was shot are not open to the public, and shooting can only be done with authorisation. After several steps, we were finally able to go through all the places where James Bond faced Jacques Bouvard… in the footsteps of a mythical scene of the saga.
The Chapel – Castle of Anet (Eure-et-Loire)
Loyalty: ★★★★ – Access: ★☆☆
Any visit castle of Anet start with the chapel. Unlike the film, where one might think that the places are very far away from one another, the chapel is actually just right from the main entrance: it is directly facing the castle.
In the first moments of the film, we distinguish the splendid marble floor of Roman origin, whose clear veins respond, as in echo, to the dome which dominates the chapel.
It is this authentic decor that Bond and Miss Laporte (Mitsouko) contemplating since indoor balcony. Unfortunately, this one remains inaccessible today, but with a wide angle lens, we almost reach reproduce the exact framing of the film. Apart from the furniture and the absence of the coffin, nothing changed : everything is immediately identifiable.
For the filming, the production used two authentic antin choir children — Michel Bahuon and Georges-Pierre Marche — who perform their own role in the film. As regards the Curé-dean d-Anet, canon Bridet, he was promoted Technical Adviser production.
The official priest in the sequence, on the other hand, is embodied by Albert Michel, French actor not credited to generic.
The courtyard located at the front of the chapel is, too, almost unchanged. We just notice that grass extends a little further in front of the chapel and some trees were planted Since then.
Garden maintenance is impeccable Hey! The Remote plans were filmed since terrace, where Bond takes off with his jet-pack.
The Guard Room – Castle of Anet (Eure-et-Loire)
Loyalty: ★★★★ – Access: ★☆☆
For continue the visit, you will have to wait for one of the guided tours The castle.
To first floor, access to the guard room, where James Bond faces Colonel Jacques Bouvard. Bond awaits his opponent, comfortably installed in a red chair which looks very much like one of those still visible today. The guide could not confirm whether it was the same model, but the resemblance is striking.
It should be noted that photos are forbidden, except prior authorisation. However, we obtained a short time from the guide for photographing the different planes. It had to be rapid and accurate, because the huge room had been fully exploited by the Terence Young When shooting.
The very nervous assembly sequence accentuates the Brutal character of confrontation between Jacques Bouvard (Bob Simmons) and James Bond. The furniture, of course, has changed since, but several architectural elements remain the same: monumental fireplace and doors are perfectly recognizable. The hall has been restored since, but retains all its authenticity.
The tapestries visible on screenOn the other hand, unfortunately, disappeared in 1997, when fire from the restoration workshop where they were stored.
The stairs of Diane and the Park – Castle of Anet (Eure-et-Loire)
Loyalty: ★★★★ – Access: ★★☆
To go down to the ground floor, you will borrow the famous Diane staircase, known for its elegance and stone carved ramp. It is through this staircase that the Colonel Bouvard access to the weapons room, which is quite consistent in directing the film. Don't hesitate to take pictures, here is allowed!
To access the park east1 prior authorisation is necessary. It is in the first metres of this immense space that Colonel Bouvard arrives aboard his Lincoln Continental Stretched Limousine. The plans are relatively easy to reproduce, although some elements of the garden have changed since the shooting.
The atmosphere on the spot was different from that of the film: it was shot between the 15 and 22 February, when all the leaves of the trees had fallen, while in the middle of August, the vegetation is still very green.
The terrasse – Castle of Anet (Eure-et-Loire)
Loyalty: ★★★★ – Access: ★★★
Once out of the building, we still have one place to contemplate withinof the castle, or rather on it : the place where James Bond takes off with his famous Jet Pack.
Of course, this place is not open to free visit. It does not offer the same artistic interest the rest of the field, and there is also a Security. Even if the building is regularly maintained, this part of the castle has a little suffering from time. Moreover, we note the degradation in relation to pictures of the film.
The film sequence was shot in two-stroke. First, the 18 February, the Fittings with Sean Connery and false takeoff have been achieved — with a Bell Rocket Belt replica slightly different from the original. The true flight sequence, for a period of 19 seconds (for total range of 21 seconds !), was filmed on 15 March by the second team, in front of more than one 100 curious. This is the test pilot. Bill Suitor who was in command.
Access to the terrace is only possible accompanied by a guideon special request. After borrowing service staircase, we finally get to this mythical place. James Bond, as for him, access it by a door of the castle who, according to our guide, actually hides... a simple closet Hey! We would have liked spend a little more time on the spot, but we did not want to abuse the Kindness of our guide. Side photograph, we missedPerfect angle : we should have placed ourselves a little more on the small bridge leading to the door for a photo. But what a foot to stand up there!!
Place du Château – Castle of Anet (Eure-et-Loire)
Loyalty: ★★★★ – Access: ★☆☆
If you want to eat in the same restaurant Sean Connery and Terence YoungIt's here! The restaurant was called The Auberge du Pré Fleuri 1965.
When you get out (or before you get back!), you'll find yourself on the Place du château, where the famous scene with theAston Martin DB5 was shot. Of course, some changes related to urban planning have slightly transformed the decor, but we fully recognize the places, and the thrill of the cult scene Is always there!
As with the sequence of the Jet Pack, the shooting took place in several stages, with two Aston Martin : one « Rolling wheel » for travel, and the other equipped with mythical gadgets.
The Fire Department have even been used, since real fire hoses were installed under the car to create the new DB5 gadget.
Anet is a Incredible opportunityless than two hours from Paris, relive one of the most emblematic scenes of the saga. Do not miss the visit of Diane de Poitiers Castle : sublime Hey! And remember, there's not just James Bond in life. 😉 — on castle and its estate We must be fully detoured.
• Republican echoes of Chartres – February 1965
• The Republic of the Centre – February 1965
• www.chateau-d-anet.com
• museum-renaissance.fr
This blog shares my travel experiences, from unavoidable destinations to the most original and exclusive places. Each article is the result of careful work and a real time investment. If you use this information elsewhere or for your own adventures, consider citing your sources and thanking – that's what I do myself, and it's always fun.
Julien Abauzit (JaBoz)
