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Origin and history

The Château de Bois-le-Vicomte, located in Mitry-Mory in Seine-et-Marne, was a 17th century seigneurial residence, now extinct. Built in stone and brick, it was distinguished by its square shape, its corner pavilions and richly decorated interiors, including paintings, tapestries and luxurious furniture. The site, surrounded by large woods, provided a majestic setting for receptions and rest of the greats of the kingdom.

Henri II de Montmorency began work at the castle in 1621, adding two domes designed by architect Salomon de Brosse. The cardinal of Richelieu, later owner, had the building enlarged with two side pavilions, probably designed by Jacques Lemercier, his appointed architect. The descriptions of 1635 reveal sumptuous rooms, such as the Cardinal's room with embroidered red velvet hangings, or the banquet hall decorated with mythological paintings.

The castle was also linked to prominent figures such as Gaston d'Orléans and her daughter, the Great Mademoiselle, who stored furniture for her receptions. After belonging to the Countess of Senozan, heir of the estate, the castle suffered the ruin of the invasions of 1814-1815 before being demolished in 1816. Today, its location is marked by a park where plant hedges outline the old structure.

The historical sources, including the memoirs of the Great Mademoiselle and the descriptions of the Tuffet brothers (1635), offer a valuable testimony to her delight. The castle illustrated the way of life of the great lords of the Old Regime, mixing political power, art and worldly reception, before its destruction in the 19th century.

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