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Origin and history

The mansion of the Tourelles, located in Rumilly-lès-Vaudes in the Aube, is an old fortified house of the 16th century, recognizable by its four turrets of cannon trees. Originally, this building served as an administrative residence for representatives of the King of France and the Abbot of Molesme, co-teachers of Rumilly. His political and judicial functions made him a place of local power, as evidenced by the royal weapons and those of Louis XII, future king, engraved on the northern gate.

Around 1530, the rich Trojan butcher Pierre Pion made architectural changes to the mansion, including carved decorations and family coats of arms integrated with beams and chimneys. After his death, Francis II of Vienna, abbot of Molesme, embellished the four chimneys of the building. The mansion became a national property during the Revolution, before being acquired by the commune in 1902 to house the town hall and a school. Today, it remains the seat of the town hall, with a ground floor transformed into a reception room.

The building is distinguished by remarkable architectural elements: a south gallery adorned with medieval ass-de-lamps, a staircase with large steps decorated with legendary figures, and a frame of ship's hull overturned. Companion symbols, such as cellars in the basement or column with inverted turns, recall the involvement of artisans in its construction. Ranked Historic Monument in 1903, it is the only 16th century rural mansion in the Dawn, preserved in its integrity.

The interior decorations reveal traces of the various owners and sponsors: the weapons of Peter Pion and his family carved on a Renaissance beam, those of Antoine II of Vienna on a fireplace, or a discreet oratory in one of the turrets. The north gate still bears royal weapons surrounded by the cordon of the order of Saint Michael, highlighting its past linked to the monarchy. These details make the mansion a unique testimony to local history and crafts of the time.

After the Revolution, the mansion changed hands several times before being bought by the commune. The Labille de la Rocatelle owned it before its public acquisition in 1902. Used as a school until 1947, it now retains its municipal function while offering an overview of 16th century civil and military architecture. Its exceptional preservation and decor make it a major heritage site in the East.

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