Lost in the rolling hills between Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines and Cernay-la-ville stands La Celle-les-Bordes. Its history stretches back centuries a blend of religious devotion and noble pursuits.
La Celle-les-Bordes is more than just a name. It’s a story etched into the landscape. It began with a religious community. They cleared the land around their oratory. This was built at the request of Saint-Germain bishop of Paris in the Aulne valley. King Childebert I granted them land. Forests receded. Fields were cultivated. The valley slopes were soon covered in vineyards.
La Celle-les-Bordes has had many names. Cella Sancti Germaini in 774. Later Cella Aequilina Cella Sarnoium and Cella ultra Sarnoium. It was also known as La Celle-en-Yveline La Celle-Saint-Germain La Celle-près-Cernay La Selle and La Celle-Saint-Germain again. Even La Celle-en-Yvelines.
The area’s agricultural heart throbbed strong. In 1789 villagers complained about deer and other herbivores damaging their crops. This complaint echoed through the years. A newspaper article from 1925 lamented the damage. One-third of the land lay fallow. Farmers were reluctant to cultivate land destined to feed deer and rabbits.
Despite its agricultural focus La Celle-les-Bordes had some trades. There was a masonry company two wheelwrights a carpenter a blacksmith a cobbler and a clog maker. The schoolmaster in 1898 noted a lack of shops. Only eight tavern keepers five grocers two novelty merchants a horse dealer a baker and a butcher served 630 people.
Two churches served La Celle-les-Bordes. One at Bordes dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The other at La Celle initially a modest sanctuary perhaps a monastery chapel. A larger Romanesque church dedicated to Saint-Germain was built at La Celle. This was constructed on the ruins of the first oratory. The Hundred Years’ War severely impacted the region. By 1457 only three homes remained in La Celle. The church lay in ruins. A century later a third church was built. Its apse was built in the Gothic style. This was consecrated on June 12 1524.
The Château de La Celle is a star attraction. It was built by Claude de Harville after 1363. He received royal rewards for supporting Henri IV. The chateau has a courtyard. The main building separates the courtyard from the gardens. A kennel likely built by Claude-Antoine his grandson stands opposite. The stables were restored and enlarged in 1936.
The chateau features impressive architecture. Stone quoins frame doors and windows. Windows reach the ceiling. The brickwork is either exposed or covered with smooth plaster. There is sculpted stonework on the exterior doors. Inside there is a grand staircase with a straight banister. Another has wooden balusters. The ceilings showcase exposed beams. The fireplaces have decorated mantels. Large dormers have a characteristic design.
The Château de La Celle remained in the Harville family until 1750. It then changed hands several times before the Duke of Uzès bought it in 1870. After his death in 1878 his widow the Duchess of Uzès inherited it. She made it the center of her hunting team the Rallye-Bonnelles. She ran the team from 1878 to 1933. Her daughter the Duchess of Luynes succeeded her. The kennel moved to Mocquesouris near the Château de Rambouillet.
The Duchess of Uzès’ hunting activities brought fame to La Celle-les-Bordes. The Saint-Hubert hunt attracted thousands of spectators from Paris and surrounding areas. Mass was held in the church of La Celle. The hunt’s blessing followed the mass. This took place in the chateau courtyard or in front of the church. The hunt took place from October to May. During the off-season the Duchess visited her hounds daily. She knew each by name.
The chateau is adorned with hunting trophies. In 1907 there were 1330. In 1927 1800. Today it’s said there are 2400. Each trophy is marked with the date and place of the hunt.
In 2004 the heirs of the Duke of Brissac sold the chateau to Thierry Gobet. He continues its legacy. He offers tours and has written a book about his experience as chatelain. You might see a remarkable trophy two entangled deer antlers. They died because they could not free themselves.