Origin and history
The Château de Vez, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, finds its origins at the end of the 13th century, with a first castle burned during the Grande Jacquerie in 1358. Reconstruction began in 1360 under Hector de Vez, which dug moats and built a house between 1360 and 1390, now partially ruined. This house, with superimposed chimneys and scaffolds, reflects the military residential architecture of the period, although its defensive vocation remains limited.
The pentagonal dungeon, symbol of the present castle, was built between 1390 and 1410 by Jean de Vez, chamberlain of Louis d'Orléans, and his brother-in-law Robert de Saint-Clair. Designed as an aristocratic residence more than a fortress, it incorporates minimal defensive elements (mâchicoulis, turrets) and sled windows, testifying to the influence of royal or ducal architects, probably Jean Lenoir. The hexagonal chapel and the south-east courtine, contemporary of the dungeon, complete this ensemble, while the other courtines were added later in the 15th century. The estate, sold in 1446 by Bernard de Châteauvillain, passed into several hands before being acquired in 1890 by Léon Dru, who undertook a radical restoration inspired by Viollet-le-Duc, classified as a Historic Monument in 1904.
In the 20th century, the castle was bought by Francis Briest (1988), which included works of contemporary art (glass windows by Daniel Buren, sculptures by Bernar Venet, installations by Sol LeWitt). The site, labeled Remarkable Garden, now combines medieval heritage and modern creations, with regular exhibitions and a landscape garden designed by Pascal Cribier. The remains of the 14th century house, the restored chapel and dungeon illustrate this duality between history and modernity.
The history of the castle is also marked by legends, such as that of Jeanne d'Arc, supposed to have stayed in the Jeanne d'Arc tower in 1430, although there is no historical evidence. The excavations and archaeological studies also did not confirm any traces of a Carolingian principality or a Roman camp, despite the etymological speculations of the historians of the 16th–15th centuries. The castle, originally linked to the Counts of Crépy-en-Valois, passed into the royal domain in 1185 under Philippe Auguste, before being given in fief to Raoul d'Estrées after the Battle of Bouvines (1214).
Architecturally, the dungeon is distinguished by its pentagonal plane (17 m long, 30 m high), its four habitable floors, and the absence of aggressive defensive devices (no murderers). The courtines, uneven, reveal distinct phases of construction: the south-east courtine, contemporary of the dungeon, has similar mâchicoulis, while the northeast courtine, equipped with a poterne, probably dates from the 15th century. The chapel, restored in the 20th century, combines Gothic elements (third-point bays) and Renaissance additions (gate, upper hall).
Today, the castle of Vez is a dynamic cultural place, where contemporary art and medieval heritage coexist. The gardens, open to the public from April to October, house permanent installations (works by François Morellet, Lee Ufan) and temporary ones, while the dungeon hosts exhibitions. This modern reinterpretation of a historic site, coupled with its architectural preservation, makes it a unique example of dialogue between past and present.
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