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Origin and history

The castle of Cœuvres, located in the department of Aisne, is a 16th century building belonging to the family of Estrées. Marguerite de Soissons, lady of Cœuvres, sells the vicounté to Jean d'Estrées, lord of Valieu. The estate then passed to Antoine d'Estrées (1530-1609), father of Gabrielle d'Estrées, favorite of Henri IV. François-Annibal d'Estrées, Gabrielle's brother, embellished the castle at the beginning of the seventeenth century with paintings and panelling made by Thomas Blondeau.

The castle remained in the family of Estrées until the eighteenth century, passing notably to Jean, Count d'Estrées, then to his daughter Marie, married to Michel François Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois. In 1771, the estate was left to Louis Alexandre Céleste d'Aumont, Duke of Villequier, who fled the Revolution. The castle, seized as national property, fell into ruins after this period.

In the 19th century, Charles-Raymond Degranges (now Grange de Rancy) bought the estate's lots. The castle was then passed on to his daughter Claire, wife of Count Alexis de Bertier de Sauvigny. During the First World War, he served as headquarters for the 6th Army and suffered extensive damage during the 2nd Battle of the Marne in 1918. The communes were listed as historical monuments in 1927.

The castle is closely linked to the military and aristocratic history of the region. Its occupation during the war and its role in the flight of Varennes (organized by the Duke of Villequier) make it an emblematic place. The testimonies of Count Albert de Bertier de Sauvigny, mayor and owner during the war, document this troubled period.

Today, only the communes of the castle, registered in 1927, remain as remains of this historical heritage. The site remains a symbol of the political and social transformations of France, from the 16th century to the Revolution and world conflicts.

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