The Essonne town of Bouray-sur-Juine boasts a splendid 17th-century château. Château de Mesnil-Voysin, built by the famous mason Michel Villedo, welcomes us on September 21 and 22, 2024. To celebrate the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), the monument is organizing various tours and events, so that the curious can discover the history and special features of this place.
This centuries-old castle is currently being restored. However, time has not been enough to erase its superb appearance. The monument is adorned with over 300 windows, dormer windows of various shapes, and a massive dovecote, topped by a pepperpot housing 3,500 boulins (indoor nesting boxes). An orangery, workshops and dry moat can also be admired by visitors.
Take advantage of the 41st Heritage Days to discover this castle steeped in history, and take part in the various activities on offer over the weekend. Check out the program to make sure you don't miss out on any of the planned activities!
Guided tour of the Mesnil-Voysin mobile dovecote.
Meeting point next to the bread oven.
Visiting times on a notice board.
Few pigeon lofts still have their original mobile loft.
The one at Mesnil-Voysin has survived the Revolution in its original state.
3,500 boulins for a 175-hectare park.
Self-guided tour of the mobile dovecote at Mesnil-Voysin
Few dovecotes with mobile dovecotes remain from this period.
The one at Mesnil-Voysin has survived the Revolution in its original state.
3,500 boulins for a 175-hectare park.
Antique and classic car show:
More than fifteen makes represented by over sixty cars, weather permitting.
Some exhibitors may offer car christenings.
Owners of classic cars are welcome to drop in and see us! The park can accommodate over 200 cars on display.
During the European Heritage Days, we'll be putting the bread oven back into operation!
You can watch bread and focaccia being made, and even buy some.
Tasting on site.
In the courtyard of the outbuildings and in the grand salon, a gourmet and arts and crafts market.
More than 50 exhibitors:
For the gourmet market: foie gras, goat's cheese, wines and spirits, crêpes, apple juice (made on site in front of visitors), bread made at the château (see tour of the bread oven), honey, Creole sausages, cookies. All exhibitors are local artisans.
For craftsmanship: porcelain painting, slate painting, wood turning, art marquetry, upholstery, glass engraving, lacemaking, embroidery, blacksmithing, roofing, dolls' houses, jewelry, glass spinning, salt dough, etc... (Associations and local craftsmen)
Make and sell apple juice.
Visitors will be invited to take part in the making of apple juice by turning the juicer and/or press.
On-site sales by and for the benefit of a local association.
Open house at the Château de Mesnil Voysin in Bouray sur Juine.
Thanks to the estate owner, the municipality of Bouray, the Bouray et son histoire association and volunteer members, visitors will be able to enter the Château du Mesnil-Voysin on September 21 and 22, 2024 during the European Heritage Days.
Visitors will be welcomed by volunteer members and hand-picked exhibitors. Visitors will be able to marvel at a display of vintage cars, visit the bread oven, the pigeon loft with its original frame and mobile bird house, the chapel currently being restored, the grand salon, and then relax at the stalls. There will be a flock of sheep with a demonstration of shepherds' dogs, a beekeeper, an ironmonger, an upholsterer, wood turners, roofers, a stained-glass manufacturer, etc... The bread oven is exceptionally back in operation for these two days, offering the chance to bake old-fashioned bread and wood-fired focaccia. Apple juice is also made on site and sold in aid of a local charity.
Gourmet market and snacks on site.
Sheepdog demonstration on sheep and ducks (course).
Choosing your 4x4 to get through life: this title is both a question (How do you choose your 4x4?) and an objective (You have to choose your 4x4). Otherwise, how will we travel?
As you can see, we're not going to the car show, but to the self-reflection show. The author, an active entrepreneur, would like to share his experience and invite everyone to find their key reference points, their "driving wheels", to get through life with serenity. The mythical 4x4 powerfully evokes crew, adventure, challenge, dreams, efficiency, sobriety, a taste for nature, novelty, the ability to overcome obstacles, openness to others, knowledge of the terrain... values that are very useful for discovering this unknown land: ourselves. This 4x4 can't be bought, it has to be built by assembling the parts we find.
Bertrand de Beaugrenier, an agricultural engineer with a degree from Essec, is a company director in the real estate sector. Now a grandfather, he is passionate about heritage and passing on his legacy. He is the owner of the largest private building site listed as a historic monument in France, where 8 full-time journeymen work. He regularly organizes transmission days for young people. His aim is to help young people grow through his personal experiences, just as he himself has been shaped by his grandparents and his personal environment.
The château was built between 1632 and 1635 under the reign of Louis XIII in the Henri IV style. It is built of local sandstone. François Mansart is said to have been the architect and Claude Cornuel the designer.
The courtyard serves the orangery, kitchens, sheds and workshops, the fruit store and the bread oven.
The chapel dates back to 1611 and was built by Renée Sabathier. A crypt has served as a burial place for numerous lords:
- Sabathier family
- de Rouge family
- Choiseul-Praslin family
- de Polignac family
The dovecote: located in the center of the courtyard, it is topped by a pepperpot. It features 3,500 boulins (indoor nesting boxes), a splendid framework and a period mobile nesting box. Pigeon droppings were collected as fertilizer for the vegetable garden.
The 17th and 18th-century park was designed by Le Notre. It covered 175 hectares, of which only 42 remain. It is surrounded by a wall of local stone.
The dry moat protected access to the château. A drawbridge is said to have been built.
The course of the Juine river was diverted to supply the pond, canals and fountains.
The seigniorial estate comprised three farms:
- La Ferme du Petit-Mesnil
- La Grande Ferme
- La Petite Ferme
The Dieu de Bouray was found in 1815 in the pond in the Mesnil-Voysin park. He is featured at all Celtic art exhibitions. The banks of the Juine were once a place of pagan worship.
The Pocancy tower is a factory: it was built by the Marquis de Brogglie to overlook the estate.
Gather for the tour next to the bread oven. A sign with departure times will be on site. Duration of visit: approx. 30 minutes.
Please note that not all of the chateau can be visited (private property). You'll visit the bread oven, the dovecote with its mobile birdhouse, the chapel and the large green salon.
It's going to be a busy weekend! And don't miss the heritage treasures opening their doors near you this cultural weekend.
Heritage Days 2024: must-see sites in Essonne (91)
The Journées du Patrimoine 2024 offer a unique opportunity to visit the hidden treasures of Essonne (91). From September 21 to 22, 2024, you'll be able to discover historic places and unusual sites that open their doors for the occasion. A weekend not to be missed. [Read more]
The Journées du Patrimoine 2024 is also an opportunity to visit the châteaux of the Île-de-France region, often free of charge! Kings and queens, princes, emperors, nobles of all kinds... Follow in the footsteps of these great figures of French history and discover their magnificent homes, on September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024
Location
Mesnil-Voysin Castle
1 Rue de Lardy
91850 Bouray sur Juine
Prices
Free
Heritage Days 2024: must-see sites in Essonne (91)
Journées du Patrimoine 2024: discover the most beautiful châteaux in Paris and the Île-de-France region
