“Could this be it?” I wonder. This is Épinay-Champlâtreux a commune in the Val-d’Oise department. It resides in the Île-de-France region of northern France. Épinay-Champlâtreux is small. Its area covers only 3.56 square kilometers.
Let’s delve into the history of Épinay-Champlâtreux. The land of Champlâtreux was acquired in 1567. Édouard Molé bought it. He was the president of the Parliament of Paris starting in 1602. The land has remained within his descendants since then. The family was sometimes called “Molé de Champlâtreux”. The land was established as a marquisate for Édouard Molé. He was the son of Mathieu Molé. Mathieu Molé was the first president of the Parliament of Paris. He was also the Keeper of the Seals of France.
Mathieu-François Molé used his wife’s fortune to rebuild the family’s home. His wife was Bonne-Félicité Bernard. Her father was the financier Samuel Bernard. The original Louis XIII style house was demolished in 1750.
Between 1735 and 1740 the two guard pavilions were constructed. You can still see them today on the D 316. The architect Jean-Michel Chevotet designed them. Chevotet also designed the French gardens. He also created the semicircle in front of the entrance. These date from the same period.
From 1751 to 1757 Chevotet oversaw construction. This included the château the stables and the orangery. The work was completed quickly. The cost was relatively reasonable at 513507 livres. Chevotet created a brick factory opposite the château. He used gypsum found on the property to make plaster. He sourced wood from nearby forests. Stone came from the quarries of Luzarches Gascourt and Saint-Maximin. Stones from the old château were reused. Stones from the neighboring Château de Chauvigny were also used. It was demolished in 1749.
The château was designed as a country residence. It was also intended as a place for receptions. Its luxury was exceptional. The ground floor had four large state rooms. The 23 bedrooms allowed many guests to be invited. Each room had its own toilet wardrobe and servant’s room. Champlâtreux became a popular spot for receptions. It was also a hunting location in the surrounding forests.
During the French Revolution the furniture was scattered. The château was transformed into a military hospital. Mathieu Louis Molé worked to restore it. He wanted to bring it back to its original state. Upon his death the estate passed to his only heir. Clotilde de la Ferté-Meun became the Duchess of Noailles through marriage. It has remained in the Noailles family ever since. Anna de Noailles often stayed here for extended periods.
In 2018 the population was only 62. The mayor of Épinay-Champlâtreux is Emmanuel de Noailles. The town hall is located on the old RN16. If you want to contact the town hall you can call 01 34 71 00 44. You can also email mairie@epinaychamplatreux.fr.
The town hall is open on Tuesdays from 2 PM to 7 PM. It is also open on Thursdays from 2 PM to 5 PM. Épinay-Champlâtreux is a village. It sits in the heart of the Plaine de France. It is located on the D316 departmental road.
Épinay-Champlâtreux stands as a testament to French history. It reflects aristocratic life and architectural evolution. Its story continues to unfold.