A 25-meter Tuscan column, built as a fake ruin, dominates a 18th-century estate in Chambourcy, France, reflecting aristocratic whims and architectural innovation.
A Fluted Column in Chambourcy
A fluted column about 25 meters high, resembling a giant axe cut, stands in Chambourcy, near the Marly forest. This is not a ruin but a house built in 1781 for François Nicolas Henri Racine de Monville, who moved in the following year.The Name Desert de Retz
The Desert de Retz is not a desert but a 38-hectare estate filled with fake architecture. The name originally referred to a remote place suitable for retirement and daydreaming, which Monville chose to retain in this sense.Monville’s Architectural Ambition
Monville bought a country house on the edge of the Marly forest in 1774 and gradually expanded the estate to about 38 hectares. He built between 17 and 20 fabrications, including pavilions and fake ruins, inspired by Chinese gardens.A Unique Tuscan Column
Among these fabrications, the most striking is a Tuscan column, the simplest of classical architectural orders. Monville built it truncated, with a beveled top, to create the illusion of a broken structure. The column is about 25 meters high and 15 meters in diameter, though these numbers are approximate.Inside the Column
Inside the column, several floors of living space are arranged around a central spiral staircase. Light enters through windows in the flutes, maintaining the appearance of a solid column from the outside. Some accounts suggest mirrors reflected the park's vegetation into the rooms.A Symbol of Fashion and Time
Living in a fabricated ruin was a trend in 18th-century European gardens, and Monville took it to an extreme by residing inside one. The design reflects a fascination with the passage of time while enjoying modern comforts.The Estate’s Later History
Monville sold the estate to an Englishman, Lewis Disney Ffytche, around 1792. During the French Revolution, the property was seized and fell into disrepair. By 1950, it was in ruins, a visit Colette described in Pour un herbier.Visiting the Site Today
Before visiting, check the conditions with the commune of Chambourcy. Be cautious about the numbers circulating—height, diameter, and room counts are often unverified. An on-site visit provides the best way to form your own opinion.
