Deep within the Essonne region, the Château de Villiers beckons. It whispers tales of kings, queens, and secrets buried within its ancient walls. The Château de Villiers isn’t just a stately castle. It’s a time capsule, holding over eight centuries of French history. Imagine standing here, as royalty once did, on these very grounds. The Château de Villiers has seen it all, from royal weddings to near-executions.
The Château de Villiers first entered recorded history when King Louis VII married Alix de Champagne in 1160. The property then became part of the royal domain. Alix was Louis VII’s third wife and the mother of King Philippe August, the builder of the first Louvre. Fast forward to 1220. Amicie de Breteuil, widow of Jean Briard, established an abbey on a portion of the Villiers land. This land had been previously granted by the King. The Château de Villiers then was a medieval fortress, complete with a moat and drawbridge. Remnants of these can still be seen today.
Even more intriguing are the underground passages. These passages connected the Château de Villiers to the church of La Ferté-Alais, Villiers Abbey, and Montmirault Castle. Traces of these hidden pathways still exist, whispering of secret rendezvous and clandestine escapes. In 1390, Isabeau de Bavière graced the Château de Villiers with her presence. She even gifted a precious “Racamas” cloth of gold to the nearby Abbey. But who owned the castle during her visit remains a tantalizing mystery.
Later, the Château de Villiers became home to Olivier Le Daim, King Louis XI’s confidant. His nickname, “Le Daim”, came from his buckskin jerkin. He was officially the king’s barber but served as his executioner as well. Legend has it that Le Daim, anticipating his downfall, buried a treasure somewhere on the Villiers grounds. After his execution under Charles VII, the Château de Villiers’ dungeon, a symbol of Le Daim’s power, was dismantled.
The Château de Villiers then passed to Jean de Foix before returning to the Crown. During the Renaissance, King Francis I gifted the castle to the House of Selve. Their coat of arms, “Azure charged with two bars wavy Argent,” still adorns the castle walls. They remained owners for over four hundred years. In the early 20th century, the Château de Villiers employed twenty people, including seven gardeners.
In August 1944, tragedy almost struck. The Panzertruppen planned to execute 197 hostages in the park. A quick-thinking postwoman in La Ferté-Alais warned American troops, saving them at the last moment. The graves dug by the hostages are a chilling reminder of this near tragedy. In 1958, Philippe Clay, a singer and actor, purchased the Château de Villiers, transforming it into a place of celebration. So, as you gaze upon the Château de Villiers, remember. It is more than just stones and mortar. It is a living testament to the ebb and flow of French history, a place where whispers of the past echo in the present.