Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Polisy, located in the department of the Dawn in Polisy, finds its origins in the 14th century with a strong house protected by streams and ditches. This strategic site, at the confluence of the Seine and Laignes, was already occupied by Itier V de la Broce, whose property included a press and utility buildings. The major transformation took place in the 16th century under the impulse of Jean de Dinteville, baili de Troyes, who undertook an ambitious reconstruction from 1537, beginning with the lower courtyard.

In 1544, Jean de Dinteville laid the first stone of the present castle, as evidenced by an inscription engraved in the cellar. It involves renowned artists from the court, including Le Primatice and Domenico del Barbieri, inspired by the works of Sebastiano Serlio and the Château de Fontainebleau. This monumental project was designed to house Les Ambassadeurs, a painting painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1533, while Dinteville was ambassador for François I. The castle also included a seigneurial chapel and outbuildings, one of which was added in the 19th century.

A fire in 1992 partially damaged the castle, of which only a glazed 16th century slab remained, adorned with the motto FIDES SPES CHARITAS and today preserved at the National Renaissance Museum in Écouen. Ranked a historic monument in 2011, the castle of Polisy illustrates the alliance between Renaissance architecture and local heritage, marked by figures such as Jean de Dinteville and major artists of the period.

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