Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Montvillargenne Castle was built in 1911 in Gouvieux, near Chantilly, Oise, on the initiative of Jeanne de Rothschild, a member of the famous banking family. This project is part of a region where the Rothschilds already own properties, such as the Château des Fontaines. The architect Léon-Maurice Chatenay, known for his work for the family, designs an eclectic building combining neo-normand elements. The park, designed by Charles Masson, adopts a Italian style with terraces and orangery.

When Jeanne de Rothschild died in 1929, the castle was abandoned for a decade. During World War II, he was requisitioned by the Germans. After 1945, he became a novitiate led by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, then a school of art trades in 1969. In 1985, he was transformed into a luxury hotel, earning his fourth star in 2003.

The estate now includes 120 rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a spa. The park, listed in the pre-inventory of remarkable gardens, retains elements such as a rose garden and an old tower reservoir. Despite its prestige, the hotel is criticized for its noisy events, disturbing the nearby neighborhood.

The history of the castle reflects the social and economic transformations of the twentieth century, moving from an aristocratic residence to a high-end accommodation. Its architecture and gardens bear witness to the stylistic influences of the time, while its current use illustrates the adaptation of heritage to contemporary functions.

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