Donjon de Maurepas: Medieval Fortified Keep in France
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.4
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- France
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- French
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page5 sections
History
The Donjon de Maurepas in France is the ruined cylindrical keep of a medieval fortified castle built in the twelfth century. Maurepas, formerly spelled Malrepast, belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Denis from the eighth century. This major medieval royal abbey was associated with the burial church of the French kings.
From Abbey Domain to Noble Castle
In response to Norman invasions, the domain was entrusted to the lords of Chevreuse, and the castle was given to the Malrepast family. An earlier wooden keep was later replaced by a stronger fortified castle. The keep formed the castle’s principal defensive stronghold.
Destruction During the Hundred Years’ War
During the Hundred Years’ War, the prolonged conflict between the English and French crowns from 1337 to 1453, the Malrepast lords abandoned the castle. A band of plunderers then used it as a refuge. In 1425, English forces captured the castle and hanged all of its occupants.
Aymon de Massy, a medieval nobleman, later occupied the castle. In 1432, English forces conquered the region and dismantled the castle. After the war, the domain of Maurepas was returned to the Chevreuse family, but the castle remained in ruins.
Protected Historic Remains
The keep was placed under national heritage protection by an order dated 19 July 1926. It survives as the last remaining part of the medieval castle.
Remains
The surviving structure is a cylindrical keep approximately 20 metres high, standing on a low castle motte, a raised earth mound used as the base for a fortified structure. It is the sole surviving part of the castle and remains in ruins.
The site occupies the eastern edge of the Yveline plateau, slightly above the depression formed by the beginning of the Mauldre valley. A farm stands beside the ruins, while the keep remains as the physical vestige of the former fortified complex.
