The Château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The “old château”, dating from the reign of Francis I, hosted Théodore de Bèze during the Colloquy of Poissy (9 September–9 October 1561). On this occasion, Jeanne d’Albret was received there as Queen of Navarre by Catherine de’ Medici. She obtained permission for the Lord’s Supper to be celebrated in the château chapel (a work by Pierre de Montreuil, thirteenth century), in alternation with the Mass.
On 8 August 1570, Catherine de’ Medici signed there the Edict of Saint-Germain, which brought the Third War of Religion to an end, in the presence of Admiral Coligny, following his victory at Arnay-le-Duc over the royal troops. In this château were born Henry II, Charles IX, and Jeanne d’Albret. Renée of France, a follower of Calvin and sister of Francis I, married the Duke of Ferrara there.
Poissy
The colloquy held there in 1561 was an attempt by Catherine de’ Medici to prevent the Wars of Religion. It ended in failure.
From the abbey where the colloquy took place, there remain the entrance porch, its turrets, a large part of the enclosing walls, and the ground plan of the refectory and the great hall of the abbey, situated close to the present-day temple.
