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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The donjon of Septmonts, integrated into the castle of the same name, was built between the 13th and 16th centuries by order of the bishops of Soissons. The oldest part, dating from the 13th century, was erected under Jacques de Bazoches, while the Saint-Louis Hall, housing a chapel, dates back to that time. The donjon and square tower, 47 meters high with seven floors served by a screw staircase, were built from 1373 by Simon de Bucy, bishop of Soissons from 1362 to 1404. These defensive elements, surrounded by moat and enclosure, illustrate medieval military architecture.

In the 16th century, Symphorien de Bullioud, bishop of Soissons, built the Renaissance house, known as "the palace of bishops", where he died in 1534. The site, abandoned at the end of the 17th century, was bought in 1864 by the painter Jacques-Edmond Leman, then partially restored by Antoinette Leininger, Baroness of Ezpeleta, from 1877. Bombed in 1918, the house remained in ruins until it was safeguarded by the Association of Friends of Septmonts in 1971. The dungeon, classified as a historical monument in 1920, was even used as a decoration in Jean Rollin's film Le Frisson des vampires (1971).

The castle, acquired by the municipality in 1978 (the square tower in 1999), also includes a chapel of Saint-Louis from the 14th to 15th centuries, external vaulted cellars, and a park with arboretum. The remains, including two turrets and moats, bear witness to its defensive and residential past. Today, the site hosts exhibitions and the Pics Rock Festival, while being partially restored. The protection of historical monuments extends to the chapel, dungeon, square tower, cellars, enclosures, moats and courtyard, reflecting its heritage importance.

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