Château d'Issou dans les Yvelines

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Issou finds its origins in a 16th century feudal mansion, succeeding a medieval castle built around 1399. Today, only the remains of a square tower and a round dovecote remain. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the fief belonged to the De Dampont family, a member of which was governor of Pontoise in 1612. Nicolas de Dampont, the last heir, sold the estate in 1665 to his son-in-law, Charles de Gaillarbois.

In 1720 the fief was acquired by François-Gédéon de Giffart, and in 1724 it was transferred to Pierre-François de Seré de Rieux, who had the present castle built in a classical style, probably under the direction of architect Jean-Baptiste Leroux. The latter, a specialist in pleasure hotels, would also have designed the private hotel in Seré de Rieux in Paris. The castle changed hands several times in the 18th century, welcoming in particular the Marquise of Pompadour, who would have left his motto on the pigeon house: "Horas Non Numero Nisi Serenas".

In the 19th century, the castle was enlarged and surmounted by two pavilions in 1857 by Mr Boreel de Mauregnault, chamberlain of the King of Holland. In 1873 he was bought by Gaston-Marcellin Dejean (Vicomte de Jean), mayor of Issou from 1884 to 1892. In 1903 the newly married Chaperon couple re-established it entirely in 18th century style and installed innovations such as electricity and a photography workshop. The park, classified since 1974, extends over 11 hectares.

During World War II, the castle was requisitioned by German troops. Upon the death of Marie Chaperon in 1976, he was given to an association and then acquired by the municipality of Issou. Abandoned since then, in 2018 it received a grant of 50 000 euros via the Heritage Lotto, allowing urgent work. The film Camille Claudel (1987) and Le Pacte des loups were partially shot there.

Today, the castle, a communal property, remains at risk despite the funds collected. Floors are collapsed, facades cracked, and the municipality estimates the cost of its complete restoration at EUR 5 million. The association of the Friends of the Castle of Issou advocates for its preservation, stressing its historical and cultural importance for the region.

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