Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Domaine de Valgenceuse, mentioned in 1396, was originally acquired by the dean of the Saint-Frambourg Chapter of Senlis, who donated it to his death. The estate changed hands several times: sold in 1582 to the Bréguet and Brillot families, he returned in 1620 to Jean Crochet and his son Louis, who built the first park and dug the water in the bed of La Nonette. In 1656, a certain Lebel, receiver of the estates, completed this work and built a castle today disappeared. The owners followed each other mainly by female inheritance.

At the end of the 18th century, the present castle was rebuilt in a neo-classical style, while the regular garden was transformed into a landscaped park, however retaining the 17th century grove. In the 19th century, Louise-Célina de Junquières, Marquise de Giac, held a literary salon frequented by writers such as Alfred de Vigny, Gérard de Nerval and Alexandre Dumas Jr. He even inspired the estate for his new Caesarine, and orangery was then used as a theatre. The park, amputated in 1964 by the construction of the A1 motorway, remains a testament to the landscape and cultural evolution of the site.

Ranked since 1942 for its terrace, balustrades and statues, the estate benefited from an inscription as historical monuments in 1992 for the castle, orangery and park. Since 2004, his garden has been labeled "Remarkable Garden" by the Ministry of Culture. The site thus combines a neo-classical architectural heritage, vestiges of 17th century regular gardens and romantic factories, reflecting almost four centuries of history and landscape development.

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