Whispers of history linger around Domaine de la Saussaie. This is more than just a grand estate. It’s a testament to time. A place where stories unfold. We stand before the current chateau. Its relatively recent construction dates back to the 19th century. However its roots go much deeper.
Domaine de la Saussaie occupies the site of an older feudal castle. This belonged to the lords of Vert-le-Grand. From that older 17th-century chateau little remains. Only one of two square towers survives. These stood on either side of the main building.
Imagine the chateau centuries ago. Moats protected it. These moats are still filled with water. Stone walls strengthen them. A bridge is the only way to cross. The chateau sits within a 12-hectare wooded park. Ancient trees stand tall their branches touching the sky.
For a time Domaine de la Saussaie belonged to the Marquis De Gallifet’s family. The commune acquired it in 2013. The writer Roland Dubillard lived here from 1990 until his death in 2011. His presence still seems to linger in the air.
During World War II Domaine de la Saussaie held a Luftwaffe headquarters. Units stationed at the Brétigny flight test center were based nearby. Many temporary buildings appeared in the park. German soldiers burned these before leaving. This happened just before the American army arrived.
The present-day Domaine de la Saussaie is a mixture of old and new. It’s a place where the past whispers to the present. It’s a living history. A story waiting to be discovered. Let us walk its paths and discover more.