Château de Ricquebourg

Château de Ricquebourg is a building mounted on stilts that stands in the middle of a pond within a 44-hectare wooded estate in the Oise department. The structure requires constant water circulation through a gate system to maintain its integrity.

The château was built in 1712 by Thomas Rivié, a former farrier who received nobility after saving the horse of a Louis XIV minister. A major reconstruction took place in 1925.

The building follows classical French architectural principles with symmetrical elements reminiscent of the Grand Trianon at Versailles. You can observe this formal elegance in the proportions and arrangement of the main facade.

Visiting requires understanding the special water conditions that are necessary to preserve the building. Accessibility may vary depending on water levels and maintenance work.

The château sits on an artificial island surrounded by an English landscape garden created by the Ridgway family in the late 1800s. This combination of water engineering and garden design makes this a distinctive heritage site.

Location: Ricquebourg

GPS coordinates: 49.55510,2.75514

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:28