Castle of Dreux

Nestled in the heart of Dreux, France, the Castle of Dreux, or Château de Dreux as it's known locally, stands as a testament to centuries of French history. This ancient royal castle, with its significant remnants and the renowned Royal Chapel, offers visitors a captivating journey through time, tracing the lineage of the House of Orléans.

The Historical Significance of Castle of Dreux

The origins of Dreux can be traced back to when it was the capital of the Gallic tribe known as the Durocasses. The strategic location of Dreux, near the city of the Parisii and at the crossroads of major communication routes, made it an ideal military post. The Romans recognized this and established a fortress named Castrum Drocas, succeeding an earlier Gallic oppidum.

Over time, this fortress evolved into the center of a Carolingian county. It briefly fell under the control of the newly formed Duchy of Normandy before being reclaimed by Robert II around 1121-1123, following the death of Étienne I of Troyes. This reclamation marked the beginning of the castle's association with the French crown, becoming a crucial stronghold on the western frontier of the Capetian domain, near the borders of Normandy.

From Royal Domain to the House of Orléans

In 1152, Louis VI granted the castle, town, and county of Dreux to his son, Robert of France, establishing the Capetian House of Dreux, which lasted until 1590. The castle's fortunes mirrored those of the county and its owners, returning to the French crown through a purchase by Charles V in 1377-1378. It was considered a royal castle, often mortgaged to private lords and eventually sold to the Bourbon-Penthièvre family in the 18th century.

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Étienne, dating back to the 13th century, served as the burial site for the former Counts of Dreux. Some remains were transferred to the new Saint-Louis Chapel in 1783 by the Duke of Penthièvre, who sold the Rambouillet estate to Louis XVI.

The Revolution and Beyond

During the French Revolution, the properties of the Bourbon-Penthièvre family were confiscated and sold. The Collegiate Church of Saint-Étienne was sold for 5,000 livres in assignats and partially demolished. It was repurchased in 1816 by the Dowager Duchess of Orléans, who built the current Royal Chapel on the site.

Following the Revolution, the estate was reclaimed by its owner, Louise Marie Adélaïde de Bourbon, Dowager Duchess of Orléans, and mother of the future Louis-Philippe. Upon her death in 1821, the castle and estate became part of the patrimony of the fourth House of Orléans.

The House of Orléans and Modern Times

In the 19th century, the castle was modernized to meet the comforts of the 1830s. Although Louis-Philippe owned numerous residences, the Castle of Dreux was seldom inhabited by the Orléans princes. However, it became the site of the construction of the Royal Chapel of Dreux.

With the enactment of the 1886 exile law affecting members of the House of Orléans, the indivisible properties were consolidated within the Société Civile du Domaine de Dreux to facilitate management and prevent dispersion. The estate was administered on behalf of the Duke of Orléans, Philippe d'Orléans, head of the House of France and Orléanist claimant. Several marriages within the family eventually concentrated the majority of the estate's shares in the hands of Henri, Count of Paris.

The Saint-Louis Foundation

Henri d'Orléans, Count of Paris, decided to include the remnants of the Castle of Dreux, the Royal Chapel of Dreux, and its dependencies in the Saint-Louis Foundation. This foundation, recognized as a public utility, was created to preserve the Orléans family's real estate heritage, protecting it from the dispersal that often accompanies inheritance divisions.

Architectural Highlights

The Castle of Dreux primarily consists of a 13th-century rampart dominating the town, flanked by round towers, with the exception of two square ones. The original castle was built on the western part of a 200-meter-long and 120-meter-wide hill. In the early 13th century, Robert III of Dreux doubled the castle's area by constructing a second castle, known as Dannemarche, to the east of the original, separated by a wide dry moat.

A second keep, called the Grey Tower or Big Tower, was built in 1244. Although it was ruined after the last siege of the town by Sully for Henri IV in June 1593, it commanded this vast addition to the east. Henri IV subsequently had most of the towers leveled to mid-height. The remains of the Grey Tower were demolished by the Duke of Orléans, leaving only the telegraph column he installed.

The Royal Chapel and Gardens

Within the first enclosure, or lower courtyard, there was a chapel. This area and the second enclosure, now a wooded park, are located in the northern part of the current complex, bordered on the west by the main cemetery. A portal to the south, with minimal defenses, is surmounted by the current residence, commonly known as the Bishopric.

The southern wing houses a residence that served as the home of the last Counts of Dreux and some members of the House of Orléans. It was entirely remodeled in the 19th century. This oblong residence, along the castle ramparts, features a floor over a basement, topped with a mansard roof. The courtyard side, now a landscaped garden, boasts two octagonal towers in Lombard style with pointed roofs, flanking a grand staircase leading to a door framed by two windows. All openings, including those in the mansard, are arched.

On the city side, a third octagonal tower rises higher, as it starts from a lower point. The portal corresponding to the porch is to the left of this tower, along with a forepart, a remnant of the old fortifications. Before the Revolution, there was a Saint-Nicolas-des-Salles Chapel here, named for its proximity to the castle's main halls. It was demolished.

To the right of the main pavilion, viewed from the town, is another building attached to the first but set back from the old rampart. Constructed of limestone (ground floor) and red bricks (upper floor), it features a gabled roof with cut ends. This service building houses the kitchens and domestic rooms. At its end is a large, two-story tower, remodeled but not extending beyond the interior garden.

Inside the enclosure, the Fanaux Tower, an old 12th-century cylindrical keep with buttresses, once stood. Only scant remains of it survive. At the center of the complex, on the site of the old Collegiate Church of Saint-Étienne, the 19th-century Saint-Louis Chapel, known as the Royal Chapel, was rebuilt.

The Castle of Dreux, with its rich history and architectural splendor, is not just a monument but a living testament to the historical and cultural legacy of France. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a casual visitor, this castle offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit destination in Dreux.