Construction of the cooler XVIe - XVIIe siècles (≈ 1750)
Presumed period of construction against the Royal Park.
9 mai 2008
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 9 mai 2008 (≈ 2008)
Official recognition of its heritage value.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The cooler located north of the Rue du Général-Leclerc (Cd. AL 88): inscription by order of 9 May 2008
Key figures
François Ier - King of France (1515-1547)
Owner of adjacent hunting park.
Origin and history
The Villers-Cotterêts cooler is a historic building located in the department of Aisne, in the Hauts-de-France region. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, it is located against the wall of the hunting park of François I, suggesting a close link with the Royal Castle of Villers-Cotettes. Unmodified over the centuries, it is a remarkable example of the coolers used in the great aristocratic properties under the Old Regime.
The cooler was listed as historic monuments in 2008, recognizing its heritage value. Its precise location, north of the Rue du Général-Leclerc, and its state of conservation make it an architectural witness to the food conservation practices of the period. Although private property, its history and its association with the royal estate make it an important part of the local heritage.
The coolers, like Villers-Cotterêts, played an essential role in the noble residences of the 16th and 17th centuries. They kept food, including perishable foods such as meat or fish, thanks to natural ice stored in winter. These structures reflect the domestic organization and logistical needs of the elites of the time, while illustrating the construction techniques adapted to this specific function.
