Château Villette, Condécourt, France

Château Villette was designed by architect Francois Mansart around 1668 and finished around 1696 by his nephew Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The palace was built for Jean Dyel, the Comte d'Aufflay and Louis XIV's ambassador to Venice. One of the most significant historical Chateaux in France, Villette is at once both simple and sumptuous with the great octagonal salon in white and blue, the elegant dining room with the original 17th century carved stone buffet, magnificent boiseries and the stone entry hall which completely exalts the classicism of the period.

The château was restored as a hotel in 1999-2000. There are numerous outbuildings including a chapel and adjacent reception room, horse stable and greenhouse.

References:

Essential Architecture

User Reviews

Chasen Shaw (13 months ago)
Absolutely breath-taking experience. Made us feel like we were in the 19th century, even if we could still plug in our cell phone. Wonderful staff and very hospitable. Looking forward to returning again and again.

Aivars Zvīdris (14 months ago)
Fantastic small Versaille!

PIEvents And Co (2 years ago)
Château de Villette is an excellent place to get married in. This castle offers a romantic and private experience to its guests. Whether you choose to have a lavish wedding or a social event, the dramatic backdrop with the lakes and park of this exquisite castle will make the picture perfect of your event. We really loved each moment we spent on the property. The staff was amazing and helpful. And the castle itself, just stunning.

Wedding Planner- PIEvents And Co (2 years ago)
Château de Villette is an excellent place to get married in. This castle offers a romantic and private experience to its guests. Whether you choose to have a lavish wedding or a social event, the dramatic backdrop with the lakes and park of this exquisite castle will make the picture perfect of your event. We really loved each moment we spent on the property. The staff was amazing and helpful. And the castle itself, just stunning.

Cécile K. (3 years ago)
Wow what a wedding venue! The property is absolutely stunning and if you want to wow your guests, le Chateau de Villette is what you need. Located outside Paris, it´s the perfect French Chateau venue, the staff is very helpful and nice, you cannot be diseappointed. Don´t look any further!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Château Villette

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Gothic Cathedrals of Belgium

Migthy Cathar Castles

Hidden Gems of Finnish Archipelago

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

Looks like you are a history fan!