|
It used to be called the
Domaine de Beauvois, from the Latin "bellum visum" which means "beautiful
view". Originally, Beauvais was a fief of the commune of Maillé, when in
1619 the Grand Connétable Charles Albert de Luynes, a favourite of King
Louis XIII, received the title of Duke: he had just acquired Maillé and
therefore gave his name to the commune which had been raised to the
status of a Duchy.
From 1452 to 1967, there was a succession of different owners, the most
notable of whom was the La Beraudière family from 1789 to 1888, whose
arms can still be seen in the King's Room. The last private owner was an
industrialist, a friend of the great architect Le Corbusier, who stayed
on a number of occasions at the Domaine.
Since its transformation in 1967, the Domaine de Beauvois has been constantly
embellished and enlarged, but its style has been maintained. It is an
oasis of peace which stars of the arts and show business, such as Robert
de Niro, Jessye Norman and Grace Kelly or the leading racing drivers in
the Le Mans 24 hour race found attractive. |
