Château de Montgobert

The Château de Montgobert is situated in the Forest of Retz, near Soissons, in the town of Montgobert, Aisne, Picardy, France.

History

• Built between 1768 and 1775 for Antoine Pierre Desplasses on the site of an ancient seigneurie, the château was designed with a neoclassical style reminiscent of English Palladian houses. The structure features four Ionic columns under an arced pediment raised upon a high rusticated basement.
• Over time, various additions and modifications have been made to the building, including the addition of an attic storey about 1798.

Architecture

The château's architecture is characterized by its neoclassical design, featuring four Ionic columns under an arced pediment. A high rusticated basement supports the main structure.

Historical Significance

• The château has played host to several notable individuals throughout its history, including Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister and wife of General Charles Leclerc.
• The outbuildings were constructed before 1831, while the pair of entrance pavilions date after 1835.

Current Status and Use

Today, the château belongs to the Cambacérès and Suchet d'Albuféra families. Since 1974, it has housed a collection of wooden ware ("treen") and approximately 3000 different tools.

Heritage Status

The Château de Montgobert was designated as a Monument Historique (MHS) in 1978.

Visiting Information

The château is located at Sentier du Parc du Château, Montgobert. Visitors can explore the castle and its grounds, which feature a naturalistic landscape design with meadows and clumps of trees against a backdrop of woodland.

Notable Features and Rooms

• The high rusticated basement supports the main structure.
• Four Ionic columns under an arced pediment characterize the château's neoclassical design.
• An attic storey was added about 1798, transforming the parterre into a terrace overlooking the park.
• A tomb in the park was designed by Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine but never completed.
• The grand terrace has undergone several transformations over the years, including a semi-circular parterre flanked by terraces connected by stairs.

Notable Features and Rooms (continued)

• The château's architecture is characterized by its neoclassical design, featuring four Ionic columns under an arced pediment. A high rusticated basement supports the main structure.
• The outbuildings were constructed before 1831, while the pair of entrance pavilions date after 1835.