Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Villiers-le-Duc came into being in the 12th century, when in 1153, Eudes II (1118-1162) erected a fortress to counter the bishops of Langres. This first building, destroyed in 1477 by order of Louis XI, leaves today only its chapel, integrated into the parish church. The present Renaissance-style structure was built from 1622 on the foundations of the former fortress, with two wings added in 1657, covered by a roof in varnished tiles.

The castle is distinguished by its architecture combining bricks and stone, including a glass gallery linking the building to the nearby church. It houses remarkable elements such as a 17th century staircase with four nuclei, a room of neo-Gothic archives, and woodwork classified as Monument Historic, recovered after the Revolution in the strong house of Nicolas Rolin. These woodwork, as well as the chapel-bridge, orangery and French gardens, bear witness to its rich past.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1997 for its facades, roofs and interiors, the castle remains a private property. Its history reflects the medieval tensions between local lords and ecclesiastical power, then its evolution into aristocratic residence in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dependencies, like the dovecote, recall its role both defensive, religious and agricultural over the centuries.

External links