Chateau de Villette

Chateau de Villette (Monument Historique)built in the seventeen century and designated as one of the most important historical Chateau in France is located approx. 40 minutes West of Paris. Villette was designed by Francois Mansart lui meme (1598-1666) for the Count of Aufflay, Jean Dyell II who served as ambassador to Italy for Louis XIV. The construction was led by Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1646-1708) nephew of François Mansart and lead architect for Louis XIV, this coupled with the fact that the gardens were created by Andre Le Notre the famous landscape designer who also created gardens at Versailles brought a pedigree and elegance of classic design to Villette which earned it the designation of “Le Petit Versailles”.

The property is set in a French woodland style park of 75ha and over the last 4 years the main Chateau and gardens have been completely renovated to the highest standards by French Decorator Jacques Garcia and Historical Monuments architect Pierre Andre Lablaude. At a cost of €20m this restoration focused not only on the beautiful and faithful historical reference of creation but also on a complete structural re-set including a new Mansart roof, thus ensuring the integrity of Chateau for the next few hundred years. Externally as well as the restoration and addition of a new parterre both lakes have been lowered by up to approx. 1m something which had not been done since before WWII thus ensuring this part of the beautiful landscape will also continue to be a focus of natural beauty for decades to come.

Chateau de Villette was designed at the same time as they designed the Palace of Versailles in the 1680s. Therefore Villette was nicknamed “Le Petit Versailles”. One of the most significant historical chateaux in France, Villette is at once both simple and sumptuous with the great octagonal salon in white and blue that has dessus-de-deportes by Boucher, the elegant dining room with the original 17th Century carved stone buffet, magnificent boiseries and the stone entry hall which completely exalts the classicism of the Period. All of the fourteen suites, each with a private bathroom and three half baths were newly & beautifully remodeled with limestone, antique mirrors and chandeliers. A Professional gourmet kitchen was completely remodeled in the year 2000 with all top of the line Hobart commercial appliances. The state-of-the-art telephone system is accessible from each room. There are many outbuildings including a spacious chapel and adjacent reception rooms, guest house, stable and greenhouse. The gardens, by Le Notre, spread out behind the chateau; in the central axis, the spectacular fountain that resembles the cascade at Louis XIV’s Chateau Marly, are surmounted by a Neptune from Saint Ouen. There are two rectangular-shaped lakes on each side of the gardens. The 185-acres grounds provide privacy, serenity and numerous outdoor activities for the chateau. Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Le Notre designed Versailles at the same period of time. The magnificence and elegance in the smaller scale was evident in the Chateau de Villette.The chateau is also a spectacular location for meetings, seminars, vacations, weddings and other special events.

Interesting Thing:

The story of the The Da Vinci Code, the #1 Best Seller Book in 2003, took place at Chateau de Villette from chapter 52. The movie version was also filmed by Columbia Pictures here as well.