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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Noisy-le-Roi, located in the Yvelines, has its origins in the sixteenth century. The seigneury of Noisy was created in 1525 by Guillaume Poyet, future Chancellor of France. In 1575 Albert de Gondi, Duke of Retz, began the construction of the castle and built there a famous artificial cave in 1582, integrated into a pavilion of the vast garden. This area then extended to the communes of Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly, marking the influence of Gondi in the region.

In 1676 Louis XIV acquired the castle and integrated into the royal estate. Madame de Maintenon temporarily established a school for young girls, before her transfer to Saint-Cyr. The original castle was demolished in 1732, but its materials were used to build a new castle in 1723 for Le Roy, the king's hunting guard. Today, only the footprint of its platform, terraces, and the Gondi Gate, classified as a historical monument remain.

Since 2017, archaeological excavations have revealed vestiges of the 16th century artificial cave, providing new light on this Renaissance garden. The research, led by Bruno Benz, has documented the decorations and construction techniques of this cave, as well as its role in landscaping the estate. These discoveries highlight the historical and artistic importance of the site, linked to architecture and gardens of the French Renaissance.

The present castle, built in the 18th century with the materials of the old building, retains protected elements: facades, roofs, a decorated living room and a wrought iron staircase. Ranked a historic monument in 1981, it is now a private property. Recent studies, combined with the archives, allow us to partially reconstruct the history of this field, from its peak under the Gondi to its transformation under the Old Regime.

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