Lost in the forest, does the Tour du Plumet pique your curiosity? This unique tower stands in the heart of the forest. The Tour du Plumet was built in 1863. Baron Joseph Louis Léopold Double had it constructed. He descended from a family of nobles.
The Baron married Eugénie Pauline Collin. She was the great-granddaughter of Jean-Baptiste Dumangin. Monsieur Dumangin owned the Château des Vendômes in Saint-Prix. The Baron became owner of the domain at 32 through his marriage.
He wanted to create a fief worthy of his fortune. So he bought woods from the successors of the Baronne de Feuchères. These woods were located in the commune. The Baron developed his property in the style of the time. He had three towers built. Today, the Tour du Plumet is the only one that still stands.
The tower served as a hunting meeting point. The Baron was an avid collector. He sought pieces that belonged to historical figures. He gathered art and furniture from Versailles, Fontainebleau and Rambouillet. The Baron Double developed his property. It reflected the taste of the era. There was a footbridge connecting his park to the new domain. Pilasters marked with his initials stood at the entrance of paths.
A rotonde and underground passages ran under the Route des Parquets. There was also an artificial cave. Canals and a retaining basin were at the Étang Marie. A chalet and a Chinese kiosk were added. The three towers included the Tour du Plumet. It is the only survivor.
But where does the name “Tour Plumet” come from? In 1686, the cartographer H. Sengre created a map. It showed that this place was called “La Plumée”. This referred to the removal of bark from trees. Treillageurs carried out this work. They made vine props and fence pickets. They also made tutors for nurseries and other items for tanners.
In the early 2000s, France Télécom restored the Tour du Plumet. This followed the installation of a cell tower at its peak. The Tour du Plumet has seen both vanity and utility. It started as a rich man’s folly. Now, it helps keep us connected. The Tour du Plumet watches over the forest. It is a testament to changing times. It links the past to the present.