In 1703, Antoine de Mesmes, Count of Avaux had the architect Germain Boffrand build a new castle. Of the ruins of the old stables, all that remains today is the east gable and the portico where the coat of arms of the town is reproduced. The gable sculptures are by René Chauveau, a friend of the Count. The whole was classified as a historical monument in 1925.
To know more :
In English:
« According to archives and excavation campaigns, a first castle was built on this site as early as the 12th century! Then, several developments followed one another until 1697, when the Lord of Roissy, Jean Antoine de Mesmes, ordered the construction of a larger residence in the neoclassical style. Unfortunately, during the French Revolution, the castle was sold as national property and was then destroyed in the 19th century. »
In English:
“The east gable door of the stables is one of the best preserved elements of the castle. It was recently restored.
Observe the pediment carefully: a set of sculptures depicts the past of Roissy; you will find in particular:
– A sheaf of wheat, symbol of agriculture
– And a bunch of grapes, an evocation of the harvest
Below, winged angels, called "putti" celebrate the fortune of agricultural activities, which made the rich hours of Roissy.
Looking back, you can see the exact extent of the castle: in place of the large modern white building then was the main body of the castle. The residence of the Lords of Roissy was very imposing! A legend even says that mysterious underground passages connected the various castles of the region to each other. Moreover, it seems that some even ended up in the vicinity of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, the necropolis of the Kings of France! But hey, all that would be a legend!
Behind the castle stretched superb gardens… Subsequently, Le Notre, the famous landscape gardener of the Palace of Versailles, designed a plan for the extension of the gardens, which was partly completed.
On the right, located in another outbuilding, symmetrical to that of the stables, was the Orangery. »
All rights reserved. The texts are written by Henri HOUMAIRE
