Aux-Rois-Louis, partner of “Fortune de France” for furnishing castle and chapel sets in Périgord
The saga “Fortune de France” created by Christopher THOMPSON and Fabrice ROGER-LACAN, eagerly anticipated, has integrated treasures from the Aux-Rois-Louis gallery-sale-rental located in Montignac-Lascaux into many of its sets. Unique pieces of regional furniture heritage – period furniture, popular art furniture, ancient pottery – unearthed for the duration of the shoot by set designer Thierry LEAUTOUT. The sets he has thus reconstructed are crowned with the seal of authenticity, in line with the historical rigor with which Robert Merle had written this famous saga in his time. To set the mood, here’s the pitch provided by Films du Cap and Together Media on their website:
Périgord noir, 1557. The Wars of Religion threaten France.
Behind the walls of Château de Mespech, surrounded by a dangerous, hostile, and intolerant world, the Siorac family fights for its survival and convictions. Jean, the father (played by Nicolas Duvauchelle), is forced to resort to violence to defend his ideals. Isabelle, the mother (played by Lucie Debay), fights to exist in a world where men make the law. Pierre and François, the sons, abruptly enter adulthood, torn like their country between their father’s Protestant faith and their mother’s Catholic fervor. There’s the life of a community, masters and servants, parents and children, epidemics, adversaries, battles and mourning, science and superstitions, and love stories. And at the heart of the series, a central question of today: can humanism prevail over religious fanaticism and intolerance?
The entirety of the first season was filmed in Dordogne, as Robert Merle, originally from Sarlat, would have wished. It is indeed the tumultuous history of Périgord at the end of the Middle Ages and the dawn of the Renaissance that particularly inspired him, while he retired to Manoir du Bousquet, in Marquay, to avoid distractions.
This shoot is supported by the Department of Dordogne and accompanied by the Ciné Passion association. The reception of the 80 technicians and 750 extras was greatly facilitated, notably at Château de Biron, which belongs to the Department. It is within its walls that the streets and market of old Sarlat could be reconstituted.
Continuing in this quest for authenticity, all scenes were filmed on location, in various carefully chosen historical sites. Château de Biron, Château des Bories in Antonne-et-Trigonant, Château de Fénelon in Sainte-Mondane, Château de Beynac, Château de Commarque in Les Eyzies, and Château de Marzac in Tursac. Additionally, the Church of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère and the Priory of Merlande in La Chapelle-Gonaguet were plunged back into the liturgical setting of the 16th century. The village of La Madeleine in Tursac and the Cabanes du Breuil in Saint-André-d’Allas were also chosen as emblematic locations of the time. Finally, it should be noted that the decorators’ workshop was set up in the premises of the former France Tabac factory in Sarlat, winner of the CNC’s call for projects “La Grande Fabrique de l’Image” for its conversion project serving the seventh art, for professionals as well as for training.
Behind the scenes of the shoot, we offer you a sneak peek here of some set-ups of furniture from the regional heritage originating from the Aux-Rois-Louis Gallery-Sale-Rental. These photos were taken during the shoot at Château de Biron, at the very moment of the creation of the sets that contribute to the captivating atmosphere of this series, adapted and directed in the great tradition of the best French historical epics.
For all your decoration needs, personal or professional, please contact David: 06 78 92 61 98 at the Aux-Rois-Louis Gallery-Sale-Rental. He will be pleased to welcome you by appointment to allow you to make your choice.