After several weeks of negotiations and at the end of the period Covid-19, a great opportunity was presented at the end of August : we were finally able to visit the Château de Guermantes, located in Seine and Marne, just 40 minutes from the famous Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
This is where the film team Moonraker turned inside of the Hugo Drax's office. Contrary to rumours, the castle was not exported stone by stone in California : he stayed well in France, offering visitors a Single immersion in the particular atmosphere of this scene.
The useless Belle – Château de Guermantes(Seine and Marne)
Loyalty: ★★★★– Access: ★★★
Built in 17th century, Château de Guermantes is classified historical monument Since 1944. Its classical structure includes: Central body flanked by two wings in return, surrounded by a landscape park of 40 hectares with French gardens, Bosquets and ponds. It was on the central part, facing the castle, that the film team had installed its tents. This anecdote was related by Catherine Serre itself at our first event « In the footsteps of Hugo Drax ».
It is in the Main lounge, known as « The Great Needless »that the first meeting between James Bond and Hugo Drax was filmed. The shooting at the Château de Guermantes spread over two days, the 23 and 24 October 1978.
The gallery, about 30 meters long, was chosen to represent the Drax office. If furniture has changed since 1978 and the decoration is now a little more busy, the place keeps all its authenticity. The piano is no longer Steinway on which Drax interprets Chopin, but we still feel the presence of sinister bad interpreted by Michael Lonsdale and the threat of both dobermans…
The first day of shooting was dedicated to the arrival of Bond and the establishment offelt atmosphere The castle. In the Main lounge, Drax interprets Raindrop Prelude of the Chopin on the piano, while James Bondmakes his first meeting with him. The scene also includes the presentation of the Countess Labinsky and Lady Victoria Devon. The actors present that day were Roger Moore, Michael Lonsdale, François Gaya, Catherine Serre and Arthur Howard (Cavendish). The choice of the prelude Chopin helps to create a mixture ofelegance and tension, perfectly in accordance with the enigmatic character of Drax.
The second day has been more dynamic, focused on exchanges between Bond and Drax before departure for the astronaut training centre. The presence of Toshiro Suga and Corinne Cléry completed the scenes ofinteraction andaction inside the castle. One fun anecdote concerning dobermans : the scene where they eat their beef piece had to be shot again in EnglandBecause the dogs refused to eat there. The result on screen, slightly accelerated and blurred, let the little one guess optical rigging.
Even after more 40 years, the castle preserves authentic elements, as the gallery paintings, which gives visitors the impression of being immersed in a film scene.
Over the centuries, Château de Guermantes changed owners and witnessedhistorical events. Since the post-war period, it has been regularly used as a decor for cinemastressing its versatility and its Unique charm. Today it belongs to society Castle From and seminars, making his impossible access to the public since 2010.
Have the chance to visit the Château de Guermantes, it's reliving, the time of a moment,elegance and suspensea scene mythical James Bond.
• On The Track Of 007 – Martin Milder and Dirk Kloosterboer
• Googlemaps
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/onthetracksof007
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)
