How about stepping back in time to the 10th century in Chevreuse? This is where the story of Chevreuse begins. Imagine a village needing protection. That’s where the Château de la Madeleine comes in.
Chevreuse celebrated its first millennium in 1980. The Château de la Madeleine dates back to the 11th century. It is a landmark with a rich history.
Guy I, lord of Chevreuse, started building the Château de la Madeleine between 1020 and 1090. His goal was to defend Chevreuse against attacks. Only the keep remains from that time. Originally, a wooden fence surrounded the keep. Stone walls replaced it in the 12th century.
A century later, Anseau de Chevreuse likely added machicolations. The gatehouse had a moat with a dam for water. In 1356, Ingerger le Grand sold the castle to Pierre de Chevreuse to pay a ransom. He was captured by England during the Hundred Years’ War.
Charles V and Charles VI improved the castle with royal funds. Louis XI finished these upgrades by 1483. A crenelated wall of 3.5 meters with turrets fortified the village. A 15-meter ditch added to the defense.
Around 1661, Jean Racine oversaw changes to the keep. The road from Port-Royal to Chevreuse now bears his name. The keep underwent partial restoration in the 19th century.
In the 20th century, modern architecture was added to the castle. Today, the Château de la Madeleine houses the headquarters of the regional natural park of the valley of Chevreuse. The park blends modern design with ancient rooms.
You can still see the curtain wall with square towers on the east side. The main door is flanked by two towers. The stone pediment was replaced with wood. There are two round towers. One has a turret for watching. The keep has small openings from the 11th century and windows from the 15th century. A well from the 15th century remains. Machicolations sit atop the ramparts.
The Château de la Madeleine is open to the public for free. An exhibition tells its story. Since 1940, the French Ministry of Culture has protected the Château de la Madeleine as a monument historique.
The Château de la Madeleine stands as a testament to Chevreuse’s past. It connects us to the lords, battles, and transformations that shaped this unique place. Take a moment to appreciate this blend of history and nature. It is right here in front of you at the Château de la Madeleine.