Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Nointel Castle, located in Oise, has had four successive constructions on the same site since 1218. The first fortress, built by Jean de Nointel, was dismantled in 1358 during the Hundred Years War. In 1454 Marie de Riencourt built a castle there, followed in 1610 by a sumptuous stone and brick building, designed in 17th century taste, with gardens attributed to Le Nôtre. This castle, frequented by Louis XIII, was sold in 1671 to Louis Béchamel, superintendent of Louis XIV, who embellished the gardens and died there in 1703.

In the 18th century, the estate passed to the prince of Condé, and was then sequestered during the Revolution, serving as a prison in 1793. Demolished in 1810, the present castle was rebuilt between 1904 and 1910 by Countess Aubernon de Neville, maintaining a 17th style with four towers and 111 windows. The park, partially preserved, includes a basin fed by a historical source. In 1986, the singer Renaud acquired the castle, where he installed the first French museum of miniature cars and restaurant of the chapel Sainte-Giselle-Sainte-Rita in 2013.

The gardens of the Grand Century, designed by Béchamel, were remarkable, with bolters inspired by Saint-Cloud and a hidden orangery. A 1775 engraving, preserved at the BNF, attests to their symmetrical arrangement. The Saint-Vaast church of Nointel, visible from the gardens, played a central role in the perspectives, perhaps reflecting the piety of Bechamil. The undergrounds, dug in the 14th century, linked the castle to Catenoy Abbey and served as a prison during the Revolution.

The castle also housed scientific figures, such as Jean-Baptiste Biot, mayor of Nointel and renowned physicist (1774–62), who lived there in the early 19th century. His work on meteorites, electromagnetism and polarization of light marked the history of science. The estate, divided in 1973, was restored by Renaud, who organized old car gatherings, such as the DS Trophy and the DS Day in 2015.

Today, Nointel Castle combines historical heritage and automotive passion, with more than 5,000 miniature models on display. Its park, ranked among the remarkable gardens, and its medieval remains make it a unique site in Hauts-de-France. The private chapel, dedicated to Renaud's mother, bears witness to the family attachment to this historic place.

External links