In the 1760s Abel Caroillon de Vandeul acquired the Chateau and surrounding grounds, as well as a farm, furnace, and metal forge. His son Denis was a master blacksmith and French politician. After Abel Caroillon de Vandeul's acquisition of these properties, his son Denis managed the forge in Orquevaux.
Denis Diderot—Philosopher (1713–1784)
Marie-Angelique Diderot (1753–1824)
Chateau d'Orquevaux Genealogy
1810–1911 Caroillon de Vandeul
1911–1918 Baron Le Vavasseur
1918–1987 Rothea and de Saint-Exupery (by marriage)
1987–2002 Scheftsik
2002–present Ziggy Attias family
On September 9, 1772 the daughter of Denis Diderot (1713–1784) Marie-Angelique Diderot(1753–1824) married Abel Nicolas Francois Caroillon du Vandeul (1746–1813).
Abel and Marie had 2 children: Anne Marie, who died at infancy, and Denis Simon (1775–1850), who was named after his grandfather.
The Caroillon du Vandeul family operated the metal forge and stove for around 100 years. It closed in the mid-nineteenth century.[2]
The original Chateau d'Orquevaux was built in the early 1700s in the style of Louis XV.
For his uncle Charles Denis (Albert) du Vandeul, Le Baron Jacques Le Vavasseur worked with the architect to design and build the present chateau as a hunting lodge including the Parc grounds, and outbuildings in the style of Napoleon III.
Parc, Orquevaux - Un Coin du Parc photo credit: Vve Hugot - Cliche A. H. (circa 1907)
Stables with Staff, Ecuries du Chateau de M. Le Baron Levavasseur. (circa 1905)
ORQUEVAUX View from the hill behind with the chateau in the distance.
Present time
Château Orquevaux is a private residence now owned by the Attias family. The Chateâu is predominantly used as an artist and writer residency hosting an international arrays of artists from around the world. [3]