The renaissance of Villers-Cotterêts

If there is one good heritage project to come out of Emmanuel Macron’s two terms in office, it will be the resurrection of the royal chateau of Villers-Cotterêts. Abandoned by the French State, it was close to ruin when the President of the Republic decided to restore it. A costly rescue: €211 million, but an essential rescue.
So much money for what? The idea of setting up a "Cité de la langue française" there was not self-evident. If that’s always the case, and if we wonder how such a project, an hour from Paris by train, will find its audience, we have to admit that the result is rather successful.

1. A room in the Cité de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts
Photo: Didier Rykner

See the image in its page

2. A room in the Cité de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts
Photo: Didier Rykner

See the image in its page

Let’s put things into perspective, though: children will be able to find something to their liking in what can be defined as a Literary "Palais de la Découverte [1]". Like this establishment, the Cité de la langue française (ill. 1 and 2) has information panels, educational games and interactive terminals in every room, many of which are quite well designed. Using various systems, it illustrates a discourse that is not devoid of interest and where everyone can learn something. It’s a bit gadgety, quite ludic (in the good sense of an overused term), and you can even see a few rare works, including a very pleasant surprise: Philippe de Champaigne’s Richelieu Seated at his Desk (ill. 3), owned by the Sorbonne and which has been deposited in the château for the long term. We will not dwell further on this part, which is almost entirely outside our field, but families will certainly find it of some interest.

3. Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674)
Portrait of Cardinal de Richelieu
Sitting at his Work Table
Oil on canvas
Villers-Cotterêts, Cité de la langue…