Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château des Vives Eaux was built between 1760 and 1780 by architect Jacques Gondouin, in the location of an old mill, on an estate crossed by an eponymous stream. Located in Dammaria-les-Lys (Seine-et-Marne), on the banks of the Seine and the forest of Fontainebleau, it consists of a two-storey main building, outbuildings ( stables, pavilion-workshops) and a park decorated with basins, groves and springs. Its name comes from a small stream crossing the property, while its initially white facade is rebuilt in red brick around 1900.

The castle changed several times, including Irishman Robert Beeby (including Elizabeth's daughter in inheritance), the Earl of Chelaincourt, or Thérèse Humbert, a notorious crook. In the 20th century, it was praised for events, such as the 50th anniversary of the Éclaireurs de France in 1961, then became emblematic by hosting Star Academy (TF1/Endemol) between 2001 and 2008, and again since 2022. The candidates lived there in immersion, while celebrities such as Mariah Carey or Jennifer Lopez were returned.

Architecturally, the castle underwent two major changes: a first around 1880, giving it its Second Empire style (bricks, bosses), and a second in the 1960s, changing its roof. The 18-hectare park, renovated in 1884, retains original elements such as bicentennial plane trees and orange trees. After deteriorations related to his abandonment and his television use, he was bought in 2013 by Jean-Michel Pontet, who began his rehabilitation for weddings and seminars, while welcoming Star Academy again since 2022.

The estate, with a living area of 3,800 m2 (main building + 10 outbuildings), includes a greenhouse " Eiffel", a theatre in an old orangery, and undergrounds equipped with light ducts. In 1999, it was proposed without success to become the National Rugby Centre. Its recent history is marked by legal proceedings (rental damage, liquidation of the SCI owner in 2011) and illegal attendance by urbexers, before its security by video surveillance.

Culturally, the castle is inseparable from the identity of Star Academy, with traces left by the candidates (messages engraved in the first floor toilet). It also served as an indirect setting: the telefilm Why I Live (2020), on Grégory Lemarchal (winner of season 4), uses the castle of Boigne (Savoie) to represent him. Today, it combines historical heritage and media usage, while preparing facilities for private events.

External links