le Château d'Yville - a classified 18th Century Historical Monument in the Seine valley, in Normandy (France)In the latter part of the 17th Century it became fashionable throughout France to own châteaux and other buildings conforming to the aesthetic rules of the finest buildings constructed by Louis XIV's architects, based on new ideas of geometry and harmonic proportions. In parallel, a new type of country residence or 'maison de campagne' made its appearance. Without moats, somewhere between the Italian 'villa' and the traditional 'château', these buildings found favour among the powerful - the nobility and the political and financial gentry. The château at Yville-sur-Seine is a fine example of this new genre. It was built in the early 18th century on the site of a previous building. It has always been attributed to the famous Royal architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who died in 1708. This attribution may be debatable, but very strong influences of his style can be identified. The domain of the Château d'Yville, covering more than 835,000 sq.m., has remained intact until the present day. Situated on a gentle North-facing slope next to the village of Yville-sur-Seine, between a meander of the Seine with its wet meadows, and the forested edge of the chalk and clay plateau to the South, the château and grounds were disposed in such as way as to take full visual advantage of the landscape. Today, the château and domain are privately-owned and have been restored. Initially listed in 1931, the park and château were officially classified as a "Monument Historique classé" by the French authorities in 2003. Many of the original descriptive documents and plans of the château are missing; historical and scientific investigations are underway to determine some of the original designs for the gardens and grounds, and further restoration is planned. history and ownershipThe fief and seigneurie d'Yville existed before the 12th Century ... the area may initially have been named Witvilla ... a certain Hugues de Wiville was one of those who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066. In 1238 Yville belonged to Guillaume de la Houssaye, who in that year gave (rented) the landing rights between Yville and Jumièges to the monks of Jumièges. By 1300 the owner held the title of Marquis d'Yville. The domain passed through various ownership until 1708 when Marie Anne d'Espinay de St Luc sold it to François Le Menu de La Noë. The new château was started by François Le Menu de La Noë in 1708. After his bankruptcy the property was sold to Roger d'Estampes, marquis de Mauny, in 1717, and then in 1720 to John Law, the financier. After the "banqueroute nationale" which brought his own bankruptcy and disgrace, the domain was seized, and sold to Jean-Prosper Goujon de Gasville "Intendant de Rouen", in 1723. The château stayed in the Goujon de Gasville family until 1865, when it passed by inheritance to cousin Paul de Malartic. In 1983 it was sold to M. Michel Frances, a collector of furniture and lover of châteaux, who completely renovated it from a disastrous state. Following his death in 1996 the château was sold to the present owner, an Englishman, in 1997. constructionIn 1723, the unfinished château and grounds were in an abandoned and almost ruined state ... at that time, the grounds were planted with peach, apple and pear trees as well as lime, elm and beech - and vines, box, and other shrubs. Jean-Jacques Martinet, appointed "ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées" in Rouen in 1716, and who worked for Jean-Prosper Goujon de Gasville in the "généralité de Rouen", was given the task of continuing the building work. He supplied further plans and budgets (which have not been located), and finished the work in 1735. Jean-Prosper Goujon de Gasville finally took up residence in his château in 1742. park, gardens, and domainThe grounds, whose origins may be traced back to the 11th Century and were completed in 1742, are listed as a "Monument Historique". The park, on a gentle slope running down to the Seine, is composed of lines of plane- and lime-trees, with large expanses of roses. The arboretum contains an extremely rich collection of Holly varieties and species. The dovecote is one of the most impressive in the region. outbuildings<< descriptions to be completed >> ?kitchen - icehouse - lime oven - belvédère - dovecote - chapel - stables - four à pain - maison du curé - maison de la forêt - la ferme - vivier - dykes and sluice, stone bridge - perspectives - irregular paths
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