Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Fey, located in Villecien in the Yonne, is a 17th century building built on the remains of a first 16th century castle erected by Nicolas Hennequin. In 1620 Nicolas de Baugy, counselor of Louis XIII, began the construction of a second castle while retaining elements of the old. The estate, dominated by a long forest driveway, includes converted barns and outbuildings, as evidenced by a 1751 plan.

The castle is closely linked to historical figures: Isabelle du Fey, administrator of the estate and close to Saint Vincent de Paul, who preached there several times. According to a local tradition, the chancellor of Agesseau and Ninon de Lenclos stayed there, with their portraits adorning the library. Two elements of the furniture, classified as Historic Monuments, are associated with Saint Vincent de Paul: the baptismal tank (15th century) and a Renaissance seat.

In the 20th century, the castle became a residential and cultural place. In the 1980s, Anne Willan founded an annex to her La Varenne culinary school, attracting renowned chefs until 2007. Since 2017, the architect Jessica Flore Angel has been running a project combining heritage preservation and ecological innovation, while enhancing the link between the castle and the forest of Othe, which is conducive to tourism activities.

The estate extends over 41 hectares, bordering the forest of Othe, a wooded massif between Sens, Troyes and Joigny, known for its hikes and natural heritage. The castle, inscribed in the Historic Monuments in 1973, protects its facades, roofs, and four interior rooms with their decor, including the bedroom of Ninon de Lenclos.

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