Domaine de la Bretèche

English translation

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History

Building of medieval origin purchased in 1700 by Louis XIV, who gave it with its lands to the comte de Toulouse, his legitimate son born of Madame de Montespan. The latter reworked the building in depth and eventually resold it in 1710. Around 1730, the property returned to the royal domain. After partial abandonment from 1789 and its sale as national property in 1797, the château continued to change hands. In 1181, a new owner carried out major restorations. These were continued by numerous interior alterations in the 1920s and by a radical refurbishment of the exterior in the early 1970s, undertaken by M. Lebigre, at the request of the father of the current owner. The park has remained a space of great quality and the interior staircase by Mansart de Sagonne is still in place.

Description

The estate of approximately 18 hectares is situated in the village of Saint-Nom-la-Breteche, on the edge of the forêt de Marly which extends to the north. It offers a remarkable view over the plain of Versailles to the south. It is also situated on the edge of the Grand Parc de Versailles. From a reading of old plans, it can be seen that the extent of the domain of la Bretèche has changed very little since the middle of the 18th century. Indeed, since the plan drawn by the architect Gabriel in 1766, only the kitchen garden has been partly reduced, this in the early 1980s to allow for the development of a residential estate. The main entrance to the domain is from the east by the road of Saint-Germain. The dwelling is situated in a dominant position in relation to the whole estate which extends principally to the west and south of the building, and in relation to the great landscape below to the south/south-west. The château, built (or substantially reworked) in the early 18th century, is constructed of limestone, ashlar, rubble stone and render. It presents a symmetrical plan with a basement and three storeys of ordered elevation including a roof space storey. On the two main façades of the building, north and south side, the central building section is divided into seven bays. The three central bays are emphasised by the use of ashlar, a rusticated decoration and a crowning element presenting a triangular pediment. On the north side, the pediment is simply pierced by an oculus. On the south side, it presents a bas-relief with two winged horses surrounding the arms of the comte de Toulouse which were defaced at the Revolution. Two projecting pavilions frame this central building section to the east and west. They are decorated with rustication at the angles and each comprises three bays. Along the entire length of the two north and south façades, horizontal bands counterbalance the rusticated decoration and the vertical rhythm created by the openings. The roof, punctuated by dormers of the roof space storey, has long slopes and is covered with slates. The park surrounding the château de la Bretèche has retained almost its entire extent since the 18th century. The estate was laid out according to the topography of the place, very marked by a slope starting from the north of the forêt de Marly and leading towards the south/south-west and the great plain of Versailles. The château and the gardens face towards the valley - a point of royal interest.