L'abbaye de Septfontaines, ancienne propriété de la Famille Vendroux – belle-famille de Charles de Gaulle
An abbey closed to the public
Founded in 1129, the Notre-Dame de Septfontaines abbey draws its architecture from this period. It was the Lord of Mésière, whose first name was Hélie, who had it built.
It underwent numerous architectural alterations from the French Revolution to the First World War and today displays the structure of a 1-level castle flanked by 3 turrets, with the classic aesthetic of the 2th century inspired by François Mansart (high slate roofs, harmonious proportions).
It underwent numerous architectural alterations from the French Revolution to the First World War and today displays the structure of a 1-level castle flanked by 3 turrets, with the classic aesthetic of the 2th century inspired by François Mansart (high slate roofs, harmonious proportions).
At the start of the 14-18 war, General Joffre set up his headquarters at the abbey: the rapid advance of the Germans forced him to leave the place very quickly. In September 1914, Emperor William II settled in Charleville: the Château de Septfontaines was transformed into a casino by the Emperor where he came every day to have tea, accompanied by his senior officers. The waltz of generals continued in the XNUMXs.
This is early 20th century that it became the property of theVendroux family, in-laws of Charles de Gaulle, who stayed there regularly to relax and recharge his batteries in the interwar period. The future general enjoyed horse riding, croquet, badminton, and also, in the autumn, hunting. The general also worked on some of his books there. The property was not just a place of leisure. It was also a farm, run by farmers, with its fields and orchards. The Vendroux family left the place in May 1940, the castle being very close to the German breakthrough on the Meuse.
In May 1978, before entering the retirement home of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Paris, Yvonne de Gaulle, a widow for several years, made a final pilgrimage to this place, where her sister-in-law Madeleine, widow of Jean Vendroux, still lived. The property was purchased around 1985 by the Prince de Mérode who carried out the complete renovation of the castle to turn it into a prestigious hotel-restaurant. Stéphane Dupuis, François and Quentin Clarin bought the Sept Fontaines abbey at the end of 2018 out of passion for the place.
This is early 20th century that it became the property of theVendroux family, in-laws of Charles de Gaulle, who stayed there regularly to relax and recharge his batteries in the interwar period. The future general enjoyed horse riding, croquet, badminton, and also, in the autumn, hunting. The general also worked on some of his books there. The property was not just a place of leisure. It was also a farm, run by farmers, with its fields and orchards. The Vendroux family left the place in May 1940, the castle being very close to the German breakthrough on the Meuse.
In May 1978, before entering the retirement home of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Paris, Yvonne de Gaulle, a widow for several years, made a final pilgrimage to this place, where her sister-in-law Madeleine, widow of Jean Vendroux, still lived. The property was purchased around 1985 by the Prince de Mérode who carried out the complete renovation of the castle to turn it into a prestigious hotel-restaurant. Stéphane Dupuis, François and Quentin Clarin bought the Sept Fontaines abbey at the end of 2018 out of passion for the place.
This monument is 10 minutes from Charleville-Mézières and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1980.
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