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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Bel Amord, originally named Godefroy Castle, was built in the 17th century in Chilly-Mazarin, in the present department of Essonne. Located on the site of the present Bel-Abord residence, it took its final name in the 18th century. The property, first of two arpents in 1630, gradually expanded to 18 arpents in 1776. The estate included a one-storey house body, French attic, as well as outbuildings such as a chapel, an orange shop, a vegetable garden and a maze. Two turrets were later added to the ends of the main building.

Robert Godefroy, king's counselor, acquired the land with the Marshal of Effiat on 11 March 1630, creating the "fief of Godefroy". Louise-Jeanne de Durfort de Duras is believed to be the origin of the construction of the castle, intended for the Abbé de la Fortelle. In the 19th century, Jean Joseph Ollivier-Beauregard, former mayor of Chilly-Mazarin, became the owner of the estate and built up a sumptuous furniture, comparable to that of a museum.

The Louis XIII style castle was destroyed in 1963 by a real estate developer to give way to a modern residence. Today, only a cochère door has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1984, as well as three sides of the wall. These remains recall the ancient splendor of this noble home, once surrounded by gardens, a piece of water and various agricultural and ornamental appendices.

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