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Origin and history

The Château de Brie-Comte-Robert was founded at the end of the 12th century by Robert I of Dreux, brother of Louis VII, on an estate originally owned by the bishops of Paris. Built on a square plan flanked by eight towers and surrounded by moat, it becomes a major stronghold in Île-de-France. Jeanne d'Evreux, heir of the castle by his marriage with Charles IV in 1328, carried out important beautification works there, transforming the fortress into a prestigious residence where the great lords of the kingdom, like the Dukes of Burgundy, stayed. The Saint-Denis Chapel, adjacent to the Saint John Tower, and gardens of pleasure are added under its auspices.

In the 15th century, the castle passed under the control of the Burgundy party during the Hundred Years' War, and was taken over by the French in 1434. Louis d'Orléans held tournaments there before his assassination in 1407. Repeated conflicts, including Humphrey Stafford's 1430 siege, seriously damaged the building. From the 16th century, the castle was entrusted to engalists like Louis de Poncher or Claude de Bullion, but its maintenance deteriorated. In 1649, during the Fronde, it was looted and partially destroyed by the royal troops of the Count of Grancey, losing its southeast tower.

In the 18th century, the towers and courtyards were razed to the first floor in 1750, leaving only the Saint John Tower. Sold as a national property in 1793, the fortress was transformed into a prison during the Revolution, then into a private property in the 19th century, where the Saint John Tower was permanently razed in 1879. Repurchased by the municipality in 1923, the site was classified as a historical monument in 1925. Since 1982, the association Les Amis du Vieux Château has been conducting excavations and restorations, partially rebuilding the courtines and the Saint John Tower in 2003, while creating a Heritage Interpretation Centre open to the public.

Archaeological excavations revealed the original architecture of the 12th century, including a seigneurial house against the courtesies, a large room of appearance (aula) on the first floor, and commons. The towers, such as the South Tower with flush latrines or the North Tower as a reserve, illustrate medieval ingenuity. The 15-metre-wide moat and drawbridges complemented the defensive system. Today, the site hosts cultural events such as the annual medieval festival and permanent exhibitions about its history.

The restoration follows Venice's charter, focusing on the authenticity of materials (local limestone moulds) and techniques. The two-coloured pavement tiles stamped with the weapons of Jeanne d'Evreux, discovered during the excavations, were put in place. The round road, the courtesies up to more than six meters, and the partial reconstruction of the Saint John Tower offer a tangible vision of the original fortress. The castle, a communal property, remains a major testimony of medieval castral architecture in Île-de-France.

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