History

Origin of the castle

1652

CONSTRUCTION

Vineyard house

Located on the banks of the Loiret, Château du Rondon was built in the centre between 1650 and 1652, then between 1655 and 1656 by the Mayor of Orléans, Robert Boliève. At the time, it was a simple plot of land with vineyard houses. Only the central building was built. His family lived there for a century.

1740

Jardins le Nôtre

In the mid-18th century, the gardens of the château were designed. The gardens are attributed to André LE NOTRE, Louis XIV's famous gardener. There is no certainty as to who this gardener was. What's more, the gardens have been redesigned to such an extent that today's garden bears little resemblance to the original.

1804

"R" of Richelieu

In 1804, Louis-Auguste PILTE-GRENET, an alcohol manufacturer, became the owner. This was a great period for the château. The owner bought paintings, antique sculptures and railings from the Château de Richelieu, which had been dismantled as a result of the French Revolution. All that remains today are the gates at Le Rondon, which are listed as Historic Monuments. The busts have been in the Château de Chamerolles for several decades, a bust is in the Louvres museum, and the paintings were donated to the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Orléans.

1880

Legends

Legend has it that TALLEYRAND, Emperor BONAPARTE's minister, spent several nights at Le Rondon.

1932

Residence of the stars

In the last century, the SACD (Société des Artistes et Comédiens Dramaturges) owned the château (thanks to a donation from Mr Paul MILLIET). Members could come to the château with their families, and some big names came on several occasions, and had a particular affection for Le Rondon. Here are just a few of the names: - Michel SIMON - Eugène IONESCO (wrote ‘La quête intermittente’) - Pierre RICHARD - Francis VEBER (wrote ‘Le grand blond avec une chaussure noire’ and ‘La chèvre’ at Le Rondon) - Henri BETTI - Alice SAPRITCH - Anny DUPEREY. The château was requisitioned during the Second World War, the first time by the British army, the second time by the German army (furniture and paintings having disappeared after their departure). Following a very cold winter, the château suffered too much damage for the company to be able to renovate it.

1994

Rwanda refugees

The Loiret department then bought it and renovated it to accommodate Rwandan refugee children, who were then suffering from genocide. A few years later, the château was unoccupied and fell into disuse.

2008

The château is now privately owned.

2022

Opening of the guest rooms

The château offers 4 modern and luxurious rooms.

2025

Creating gîtes in the château's stables