Château de Vaux

Abandoned shortly before the Second World War, the 18th-century Château de Vaux underwent numerous renovations prior to its acquisition by Edouard Guyot, who is restoring the interior to reflect its original state.

Site History

The Château de Vaux was built in 1721 for Jacques d’Aubeterre. The plans for the château were commissioned from Germain Boffrand, the celebrated architect behind the Châteaux de Lunéville and de Haroué and the Hôtels de Soubise, de Craon and Ferraris. Architect Philippe Delaforce took over in 1752 and modified the plans. The stone was transported on mules from the quarries of Tonnerre (Burgundy) and the slate by boat from Paris. However, the costly construction plunged the owner into financial ruin, and the work was interrupted shortly after his death for lack of funds.

The Montmort family bought the estate shortly before the Revolution and kept the château until 1855, when it was sold to Charlemagne-Emile de Maupas, Prefect of Police under Napoleon III. He remodeled Vaux without touching the exterior architecture. After his death, the castle passed to his daughter. The estate was abandoned shortly before World War II, and the buildings fell into ruin. Philippe Vallery-Radot purchased it in 1970 and renovated the outbuildings to house a center for girls with disabilities. A heritage enthusiast, he installed metal sheets to protect the main structure from water infiltration, as well as wooden supports to prevent collapse. In 2015, Edouard Guyot bought the estate, with the aim of renovating it and opening it to the public.

About the Project

The château has been in a perilous state since World War II. The interiors suffered from water infiltration for over 50 years. The roofs were restored in 1995, allowing for the current restoration of the rooms of the château. This project will restore the flooring on the second and third floors of the east wing and east pavilion. 

Château de Vaux Today

Since 2015, the château and 60 hectares of park were sold to Edouard Guyot, a 22-year-old entrepreneur whose family has a long history of buying and restoring historic châteaux to breathe new life into them through viable commercial projects. His first step was to make the outbuildings available for event rentals, the proceeds of which provided funding for the initial restoration work and allowed him to open the site to the public. He has also prioritized the preservation of the surrounding forests and the sustainable use of local resources.