The Château de La Motte Tilly conveys you to a real 18th-century castle, on the outskirts of the Seine river
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Just a few kilometers from Paris stands the Château de La Motte Tilly in a bucolic setting, at the heart of a bend in the Seine river. This elegant estate, a symbol of balance and refinement, tells the story of nearly three centuries of history through the intertwined destinies of its illustrious owners. With nearly 19,000 visitors annually, La Motte Tilly is not just a château frozen in time: it’s an inhabited space, designed to convey emotion and presence. Fresh flowers, family photos, seasonal decor… everything invites a sensitive immersion into the intimacy of an aristocratic estate, a reflection of the Age of Enlightenment. That’s why, we invite you in a unique escapade towards this elegant castle and its wide surroundings, steeped in history. By AP
In 1754, it seems that François-Nicolas Lancret, a renowned architect, built a pleasure house on the heights of the current site for Louis XV‘s minister, named Joseph Marie Terray.
Remodeled over the generations, this majestic Château de La Motte Tilly underwent several major transformations, particularly after the French Revolution, when it was partially redesigned by Claude-Hippolyte Terray. He also founded a school in the gardener‘s house, marking the family’s social commitment (photo credits: AP).
Then, in the 20th century, the property passed to Count Guy de Rohan-Chabot, who undertook an extensive restoration, recreating the various interiors, by using antiques and family furniture. His daughter Aliette, also known as Marquise de Maillé, succeeded him and completed the family work, by combining modernity, with respect for tradition. She even entrusted the interior design to Victor Grandpierre and Claude Hodanger, Christian Dior‘s regular architects, establishing a refined style, known as Louis Dior wished it. In 1972, the same Marquise bequeathed the estate to the State, who opened it to the public in 1978.
For example, their 60-hectare park is a fine example of landscape evolution. With its French-style gardens, romantic English lines, and vast lawns, it offers an immersive stroll, combining classical rigor and lush nature. Among its treasures, don’t miss their tilletum, unique in France, a certified botanical collection of over 70 varieties of linden trees, especially created after the tragic 1999 storm. An organic and sustainable vegetable garden, cultivated in partnership with the Chlorophylle association, now supplying local markets, while promoting a certain professional integration. The estate is thus part of a current and committed dynamic.
Among the park‘s curiosities, an artificial grotto, built at the end of the 18th century, intrigues with its rustic design and discovered by chance. Sculpted from local tufa, it contributes to the romantic atmosphere of this memorable Anglo-Chinese garden. Otherwise, in terms of artistic heritage, the château houses a remarkable collection, including a fancy artwork by Lorenzo di Credi, a Florentine Renaissance master. Recently restored before the eyes of visitors, you could admire that The Virgin and Child masterpiece now proudly sits in the Autumn Salon.
Château de La Motte Tilly, D951, 10400 La Motte-Tilly (France) / Phone : 00 33 (0)3 25 39 99 67. More details on their official website.
