The Medieval Gardens of Bois Richeux

History of the farm

One the oldest farms in France, a very important place of peasants' liberty in the XIIth century.
More than 2000 years ago the Farm of Bois Richeux settle down on the site of a former Celtic farm, in the heart of the forest of Carnutes.
First a funeral enclosure in the custody of a druidess named Richeulde (which gave its name to Bois Richeux), it was, from the carolingian time on an important fortified farm with its seigneurial manor.
Throughout the entire Middle Ages, it was owned by the lords of Gallardon and Montfort l'Amaury. Back from the first crusade, they built a chapel which was dedicated to Saint Gilles.

In 1178, after donating a part of its land to the Chapter of Chartres, the Farm of Bois Richeux hosted the first free farmers, solemnly installed by the Grand Chantre Amaury. The wonderful frame of its tithebarn partially comes from the scaffolding of the Cathedral of Chartres (beginning of the XIIIthcentury).
The dovecote, mentioned in a record of 1364, is one of the first in France. The number of pigeonholes certifies that at this time the farm exceeded one thousand hectares, and must have employed nearly 500 farmers. Precise records detail the yield of each piece of land which had almost remained constant between 1400 and 1900, the horse having only replaced beef labour.
In 1679, the farm of Bois Richeux was acquired by Madame de Maintenon. She ordered impressive imitations of marble wallpaintings for in the Lord's bedroom, recently renovated. The purchase contracts of Bois Richeux have been counter-signed by Louvois on behalf of King Louis XIV in 1684.
In 1689, the niece of Madame de Maintenon received the entire property as dowry for her marriage to the first Duc de Noailles. Bois Richeux remained attached to the Maintenon's estate for three centuries.
In 1991, the Farm of Bois Richeux was acquired by its present owners. According to its architectural features and its unique history, it belongs to the French Rural Legacy. Since 1996, the walled garden which surrouned the manor during the Middle Ages excist again. An association of friends of Bois Richeux, which you can join, participates in historical research and cultural and tourist development of this exceptional site.