Château de Monte-Cristo

The Château de Monte-Cristo is a delight, with sculpted facades on every side. Dumas’ history, personality and literary inspiration are visible everywhere you turn – from flowers, angels and musical instruments, to heraldic arms and strange beasts. The writer had portraits of historic playwrights placed above each ground floor window – but pride of place goes to Dumas himself, who still greets you from above the entrance. The family coat of arms is carved on the pediment, along with Dumas’ personal motto: I love those who love me. In a final flourish, the pinnacles rising from the Château’s two turrets are inscribed with the writer’s monogram.