Château de La Motte-Tilly
A perfectly preserved 18th-century home.
Located near the town of Nogent-sur-Seine, the Château de La Motte-Tilly is a rare find in the Aube region. It is a mid-18th-century residence that looks exactly as it did when it was first built, largely because it escaped the destruction common during the French Revolution. The architecture is famous for its grand canal, which serves as a massive mirror for the brick and stone facade.
An Authentic Interior
What sets this estate apart is that it remains a fully furnished home. Thanks to the Marquise de Maillé, who restored and protected the site in the 20th century, the furniture and decor are original. You aren't walking through a modern museum reconstruction; you are seeing the actual chairs, fabrics, and layouts from the 1700s. It feels as though the family has only just stepped out.
Symmetry and French Gardens
The grounds are a perfect example of French formal design. The gardens are built on a strict central axis that leads the eye directly to the water, where the park opens up toward the surrounding countryside. It is a quiet, orderly place that shows how the French nobility lived when they wanted to escape the noise of Paris.
La Motte-Tilly is a solid stop if you are exploring the region near Provins. It is an honest, unhurried look at Enlightenment-era life, preserved in a way that feels personal rather than institutional.