Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France Mar. 12, 2025

If you"re a lover of history with a dash of drama, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, in the centre of northern France, has you covered. This fortress has seen it all—battles, power shifts and royal connections. Originally built in the 14th century, the medieval castle was designed to guard the Loire River and control access to the region. Over time, it evolved into a residence for nobility, most notably serving as the home of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, who was a trusted minister of King Henry IV. The castle played a significant role during the French Wars of Religion from 1562 to 1598 and has witnessed countless moments of intrigue and diplomacy. In 1940, during World War II, the castle wall was hit by shells, creating massive holes, but the framework remained intact.

© StockPhotoAstur/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Behold the architectural marvel
Mar. 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Mar. 12, 2026Juvenile sunbittern displaying at nest, Ecuador

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Happy Mothers Day!
Feb. 20, 2026Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Feb. 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Oct. 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
Jan. 21, 2024Eurasian red squirrel, Netherlands
Jan. 30, 2026Winterlude begins
One rare streak
Nov. 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta
Oct. 10, 2025Fiji Day
The world’s greatest oasis?
Jan. 27, 2026Dalmatian pelicans, Lake Kerkini, Greece
Oct. 13, 2023Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Sep. 24, 2024Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Nov. 2, 2025Maple and bamboo forests in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Apr. 9, 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
Sep. 2, 2024Milky Way over the Elbow River in southern Alberta
Nov. 6, 2025Celebrating Yi Peng
An ugly duckling no more
Spring is the time for billing
Mar. 10, 2026Bláhver, Hveravellir, Iceland
Jan. 14, 2026Take the Stairs Day
Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Look, but don’t touch
A peck between penguins
Mar. 24, 2026Cherry blossoms at East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Wuhan, China
Postcard from the Canadian Rockies
Dec. 19, 2023Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland
Sep. 5, 20242024 Toronto International Film Festival
Aug. 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
Nov. 25, 2024Maasai giraffes in Amboseli National Park, Kenya