Could you imagine a château conceived not for royalty but for intellectual gatherings? That is Ch\u00e2teau Philipson. It stands before us. This edifice wasn’t always known by its current name. Its story is deeply intertwined with poets, philosophers and prefects.
Ch\u00e2teau Philipson began its life thanks to the famed architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. He was a pioneer of the neoclassical style. The poet Saint-Lambert needed a grander residence for his esteemed guests. So he commissioned Ledoux to design this château for Joseph Florent Le Normand de Mézières, the Lord of Eaubonne.
Saint-Lambert resided at Eaubonne in the Petit-Ch\u00e2teau. This smaller château was also designed by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Saint-Lambert found it too cramped for his needs. This led to the construction of what we now know as Ch\u00e2teau Philipson. It became known locally as “Villa Saint-Lambert”. It was here in Eaubonne that Saint-Lambert penned his philosophical work “Catéchisme universel”. This earned him posthumous recognition from the Institut de France.
After Saint-Lambert, the château welcomed Michel Louis Etienne Regnaud de Saint-Jean-d’Angély. He was Bonaparte’s right-hand man. He was named Comte d’Empire in 1808. He then received the title of “Grand Aigle de la Légion d’honneur” in 1813.
Over the years, Ch\u00e2teau Philipson saw many owners. Among them was Louis Joseph Augustin Coutan. He was a local art enthusiast. He also served as mayor of Eaubonne.
In the 19th century, the château underwent repairs. These repairs incorporated techniques from the Second Empire. These included iron beams with brickwork. Facchina mosaics were added in the entrance. An art foundry created the staircase railing.
The 20th century brought Charles O’Campo to Ch\u00e2teau Philipson. He was a wealthy collector. He transformed the space into a museum. It was filled with works by Corot, Millet, Courbet, and Poussin.
After O’Campo’s death in 1945, Gilbert Philipson acquired the château. Philipson was a lawyer. He later became a prefect. In a gesture of gratitude, he bequeathed the building to the city of Eaubonne. The city then honored him by naming it Ch\u00e2teau Philipson. Philipson is buried in Eaubonne’s new cemetery.
Today, Ch\u00e2teau Philipson hosts gatherings. Members of the “Collège du Temps Retrouvé” and the “Association des Retraités d’Eaubonne” meet here regularly. Also notable is a remarkable pine tree. It stands tall in the Château Philipson park. It is one of the region’s largest. Its height is 43 meters.
Ch\u00e2teau Philipson stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. It shows us the enduring legacy of those who shaped its history. From poets to prefects. Its walls echo with stories of art, philosophy, and civic duty. As we leave Ch\u00e2teau Philipson, remember it. Remember it not just as a building but as a place of continuous gathering.n