It was established, more than 2000 years ago, in the center of the forest of Canutes which covered the all north of present “Région Centre”.
At first, assigned to be an enclosed funeral area, guarded by a druidess called Richeulde (who gave her name to Bois Richeux), the land became an important Celtic domain in Beauce area widely cleared since Neolithic and already exportating cereals.

All through the Middle-Ages, it belonged to the two Gallardon and Montfort l’Amaury noble families who edified a chapel devoted to Saint Gilles, in memory of the departure harbor to crusades.
In 1178, aware of the peasants’ situation, the Lords gave part of their lands to the chapter of Chartres’ Cathedral in order to establish a “frank area”.

The Great Precentor Amaury solemnly settles the first free peasants (Simple contract by Hugues de Boutigny, 1178).

By that time, it has become a fortified farm with a seigniorial manor house, a chapel, a barn dedicated to collect the Tithe and a pigeon-house.

The wonderful frame of the barn was partly provided by the scaffoldings of Chartres cathedral (beginning of XIIIth century).

The pigeon-house mentioned in an act dated 1364 could be among the first pigeon-houses built in France. Its numerous pouters (1350) witness that the estate then exceeded 1000 hectares and must have employed over 500 peasants.

Detailed records - kept for long in the Château de Maintenon – give all details about the produce of every piece of land. It remained alike from 1400 to 1900, only plough-horse having replaced ox.

In 1679, the manor house and land of Bois Richeux are purchased by Madame de Maintenon. The purchase acts being countersigned by Louvois, in the name of King Louis XIV in 1684.
The niece of Madame de Maintenon receives the property as her marriage portion when she marries the first Duc de Noailles in 1689. Afterward, Bois Richeux will remain attached to the Château de Maintenon during three centuries.

In 1991, the farm is purchased by its actual owners. Its typical architecture makes it belong to the French Rural Patrimony. Since 1996, the enclosed garden surrounding the manor during the Middle-Ages has been progressively rebuilt. It salutes the very special history of this place, main spot witnessing peasants’ freedom.

The “Friends of Bois Richeux” association takes part to historical research, but also to the cultural and touristic spreading of this exceptional place.

© Jardin de Bois Richeux - 2011