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Origin and history

The former Hôtel d'Orléans house, located in Crépy-en-Valois in the Oise, is a 14th and 15th century seigneurial building, more than 12 metres high. It consists of a vaulted cellar, a ground floor, two square floors separated by a bandeau, and an attic. An octagonal tower houses a screw staircase connecting the levels, while access to the cellar is via a rear courtyard. The facade on the street, made of stone, is crowned with crows, and the roof is covered with tiles. At the back, the facade overlooks a courtyard with an octagonal turret staircase and two stone gables.

Originally called "Saint-Agathe", this hotel was in ruins in 1438 after violent fighting under the seigneury of Robert de Châtillon. Marie de Clèves, duchess du Douairrière d'Orléans and Valois, had it rebuilt in the 15th century. Its current name, "Hotel d'Orléans", could come from the Valois dynasty of Orléans, although the exact date of this name remains unknown. The building was alienated to the dungeon of Crépy in 1528, purchased by the king in 1560, and sold to Antoine Bataille, king's attorney, in 1597. He changed hands several times, becoming a hotelier under the name "Grand Monarch" in the 17th century, then "Grand Vainqueur" under Napoleon I.

In the 19th century, the hotel was acquired by private individuals in 1872, before being sold to the city of Crépy-en-Valois in 2001. Some parts, such as a 16th century chimney and gargoyles, were sold separately in the 19th century. The building is also nicknamed "Maison Jeanne d'Arc" because of its passage to Crépy-en-Valois on August 11, 1429. The facades and roofs have been protected since a 1978 order, and the current address is 17 rue Jeanne-d'Arc.

The history of this hotel reflects the political and social upheavals of the region, moving from seigneurial residence to public accommodation, while maintaining remarkable medieval architectural elements. Subsequent changes, such as the pierced or modified berries, illustrate its evolution throughout the centuries. Today, it is an important testimony of the Valois heritage, linked to both local history and national figures such as Joan of Arc.

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