Have you ever wondered about the secrets whispered by ancient stones? Before us stands the Château de Stors a testament to centuries of history. This magnificent manor house nestled in L’Isle-Adam has witnessed eras unfold. Its very stones echo with tales of noble families and powerful rulers.
The Château de Stors boasts a history stretching back to 1093. A chapel was built in the 12th century. A strong castle stood on the hillside by the 14th century. Jean de Saint-Benoit lived there in 1435. In the 16th century it was a stately manor house. Denis Duval a notary and secretary to the King and his son Jean rebuilt it closer to the river. The Duvals were close to King Charles IX and Catherine de Medici.
Their son René married Madeleine de L’Aubespine de Verderonne. She had the chapel rebuilt and enlarged. Her heart was placed there in 1624. Madeleine bequeathed Stors to her nephew. He expanded the estate and restored the chapel.
The current structure dates to the early 18th century. It was built on the foundations of the old castle. Perhaps it was built around 1718. This was for the marriage of Étienne Louis de L’Aubespine the Marquis de Verderonne. The architect remains unknown. Some believed it was Jules Hardouin-Mansart but the dates make that unlikely. Other possibilities include Jean Aubert and Germain Boffrand.
The Marquis de Verderonne sold his estates. In 1746 Louis François de Bourbon-Conti the Prince de Conti bought Stors. He wanted to expand his estate in L’Isle-Adam. He paid 150 000 livres for Stors. The Prince de Conti hired his favorite architect Pierre Contant d’Ivry. He wanted to beautify the chateau and create fashionable gardens. Stors became a residence for his successive mistresses. First Mme Panneau d’Arty then the Countess of Boufflers.
In 1783 the chateau was sold to the future Louis XVIII. It was confiscated during the French Revolution but unharmed. A storm in 1794 damaged the upper parts. The lawyer Isaac Ardant bought it in 1798. He added furniture from the Château de Louveciennes. His wife a botany enthusiast brought rare plants from America.
Their daughter sold the property in 1838 to François Christophe Edmond Kellermann. He was the 3rd Duke of Valmy. He made significant renovations. He added a grand staircase overlooking the Oise River. The Duke resold the estate in 1861 to Casimir Cheuvreux a textile merchant. He hosted writers and statesmen. Léon Say prepared his speeches there. The Cheuvreux family significantly expanded the estate to 150 hectares.
The estate passed to the Lannes de Montebello family in 1893. They hosted members of the Romanov family including Grand Duke Alexis. The chateau housed luxurious furniture and art. Allied bombing in 1944 destroyed the north wing and farm buildings. It fell into ruin until 1999 when the Capdevielle couple bought it. In 2001 the terraces kiosks and basin were listed as historical monuments. Restoration work continues today. The Château de Stors continues to captivate with its enduring legacy.