Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Saint-Fargeau came into being in the 10th century, when Héibert, bishop of Auxerre and brother of Hugues Capet, set up a fortified hunting appointment there in 980. This site became a seigneury in the 11th century, owned by the Toucy family, many of whom participated in the crusades. In 1450 James Cœur, the great silversmith of the kingdom, acquired it before being plundered by King Charles VII. The castle was rebuilt between 1467 and 1488 by Antoine de Chabannes, who added an imposing tower and modernized his defences.

In the 16th century, the castle became a county then a Duchy-Payrie under Henry III, passing into the hands of the families of Anjou-Mézières and Bourbon-Montpensier. In the 17th century, it was the residence of exile of Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans, known as the "Grand Mademoiselle", cousin of Louis XIV, who undertook important beautification works under the direction of architect François Le Vau. Its architectural heritage, marked by its monogram (AMLO), remains partially in spite of revolutionary destructions.

The castle changed hands several times in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially between the families Le Peletier, Crozat and Boisgelin. He suffered two major fires, in 1752 and 1853, which destroyed some of his interiors, including the apartments of the Grand Mademoiselle. In the 20th century, after belonging to the Ormesson family, it was sold in 1979 to Michel Guyot, who undertook a complete restoration and organized there a famous sound and light show, perpetuating its cultural influence.

The architecture of the castle, of irregular pentagonal plan, is marked by six towers of artillery in pink bricks, five of which are surmounted by sterns inspired by Chambord. Its interiors, partially preserved, contain historical portraits, such as those of Louis XIV and the Grande Mademoiselle, as well as a funeral chapel where Louis-Michel Le Peletier of Saint-Fargeau, a traditional registrator. The park, redesigned in English at the beginning of the 19th century, completes this heritage classified Historic Monument since 1949.

The Château de Saint-Fargeau also inspired literature, including Jean d'Ormesson, who placed his novel Au plaisir de Dieu there. Today it serves as a framework for visits, cultural events and filming, while offering guest rooms in its restored historic apartments. His sound and light show, retracing a thousand years of history, attracts thousands of visitors every year.

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