Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Auvers, also called Leyrit Castle, was built in 1635 by the Italian banker Zanobi Lioni, close to Marie de Medici. This Italian pavilion, transformed into a French castle at the end of the 17th century by Jean de Leyrit, adviser to the King and treasurer general, became a fief in 1668. The architectural changes, such as the addition of two pavilions in the 18th century, reflect its evolution under various noble families, including the d'Espremenil and Prince Louis François de Bourbon-Conti.

In the 19th century, the castle deteriorated before inspiring Vincent van Gogh in 1890 for his painting The Castle of Auvers at sunset. Repurchased in 1987 by the Conseil Général du Val-d Its facades, its French-style park (reconstituted after 18th century engravings), and its gardens with fountains and box embroidery are protected. The site reopened in 1994 as a centre for the interpretation of Impressionism.

From 1994 to 2017, the castle offers an immersive path-spectacle, Voyage au Temps des Impressionnistes, mixing projections, reconstructed scenery and music to plunge visitors into 19th-century society. This project, translated into nine languages, highlights the role of Auvers-sur-Oise as the cradle of Impressionism, frequented by Daubigny, Corot, Pissarro, Cézanne and Van Gogh. The success is based on an innovative set design, inspired by the techniques of Cité Ciné à la Villette, and a thematic variation in the gardens.

Since 2017, the castle has hosted a permanent exhibition, Impressionist Vision, using digital to explore the movement, from its origins to its contemporary heritage. The site also organizes annual events such as the Night of Museums, Rendez-vous aux jardins and European Heritage Days. These initiatives strengthen its cultural and tourist base, in connection with other emblematic places such as Giverny or the Ravoux Inn.

Architecturally, the castle retains a north façade in Louis XIII style, while its south façade and gardens have been redesigned according to historical sources. The estate includes caves, a nymph of the prince of Conti's monogram, and commons built in the 19th century. Today, shared ownership (department and private society) remains a testimony to the artistic and social transformations of the 17th to 19th centuries.

Future

The Château d'Auvers is an example of the original development of a heritage site in the heart of an internationally renowned village.

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