Pagoda, also known as "madness Choiseul" - it remains of the once magnificent but ruined castle in the baroque style. In the XVIII century the castle belonged to the Duke of Choiseul Etienne Francois, a former foreign minister in the court of King Louis XV. During his not too successful activity in the field of foreign policy, as well as after accusations of opposition views, Choiseul was excommunicated from the court and actually placed under "house arrest", received an order to live on his estate at Chanteloup.

With the request for the construction of the pagoda Duke turned to the architect Le Camus. 44-meter high structure was built in three years, the author has given the project the building of the eastern tiered form, but filled it with the European "content" - in the interior of the tower you can see the elements of classicism - columns, balustrades, pilasters. The duke of Choiseul thought his pagoda symbol of friendship, dedication to those of their friends who have not turned away from his disgraced friend.

The tower is composed of seven tiers, with each successive lower than the previous. With top-tier beautiful views of the Loire. Standing next to the tower Chateau de Chanteloup was so beautiful that Choiseul contemporaries compared him to Versailles - not only because of the size of the castle, but also because of the luxury of its interior decoration.

Unfortunately, after the death of the Duke in 1785, the castle many times changed its owners, resold and eventually was destroyed in the first half of the XIX century. Today, the Duke of Choiseul pagoda surrounded by a quiet park with a pond.

By the way, the Duke of Choiseul was able to return to the court from under "house arrest." This is due to the request of Queen Marie Antoinette of Austria, wife of Louis XVI, who appreciated the pro-Austrian foreign policy of the Duke. But to achieve its former position and influence at the court of Choiseul had failed.