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The history of the Castle

The Château de Quesnoy-le-Montant

In the enclosure where the murmurs of the past and the song of new things mingle, the former hunting lodge of Duc Du Bellay awakens, under the benevolent and enlightened leadership of Katharina, to a new era and becomes: Le Bas Bleu . Since 2021, this guardian of arts and letters has woven a web of renewal on this place steeped in history, gracefully transforming its family spaces into a guest house where each room, each corridor resonates with an invitation to imagination and wonder.

Explore the Castle

The Blue Bottom

The “Blue Stockings Society” was an informal social and educational movement for women in England in the mid-18th century, which emphasized education and mutual cooperation.

Founded in the early 1750s notably by Elizabeth Montagu as a literary discussion group, detaching itself from the traditional and non-intellectual activities of women, the “Blue Stockings Society” was the English counterpart to French-style literary salons, where aristocratic or of the upper bourgeoisie organized assemblies at the end of the evening so that we could come together on an equal footing to discuss the fashionable arts in society.

Both men and women were invited to attend, including the botanist, translator and editor Benjamin Stillingfleet who, due to his financial situation, did not dress for the occasion as formally as was customary and considered ” appropriate”, thus appearing with ordinary blue woolen stockings.

The society gave rise to the term “bluestockings”, which referred to the informal quality of meetings and the emphasis on conversation rather than fashion, and, by the 1770s, came to refer to educated women in general.

Over time, particularly in the 19th century when tightening morals and social etiquette became the norm, the term “blue stockings” evolved in meaning. We find in Baudelaire or Hugo “the blue stockings” as a mockery of the precious ridicule of literary inclinations, mocked by the male representatives of the intellectual elite.

By naming the little castle of Quesnoy, Katharina wishes to restore the image of the Bas Bleus and is delighted with each informal evening where artist friends and travelers come together to exchange ideas in a friendly and lively setting.

Painting of a woman at Château Le Bas Bleu showing her blue stocking
Old illustration of the castle of Quesnoy-le-Montant

The birth of the Castle

An epic woven through time in Quesnoy-le-Montant

Throughout the ages, Quesnoy-le-Montant has had names as varied as they are poetic – from Caisnoy in 1265 to Quesnoy le Montant in 1862 – evoking echoes of a flourishing past. This cradle of nobility is the very soul of our residence, revealing an inexhaustible historical heritage.

The Lords of the Echo of Times

From André du Quesnoy, brave knight of 1265, to the noble transmission of the lordship to the general hospital of Amiens in 1719, each generation has woven a part of the legend of this place. These predecessors sculpted the destiny of these lands, intertwining history with the stone and surrounding greenery.

Renaissances and metamorphoses of the Castle

Our little castle has gone through the ages, marked by religious conflicts and reconstruction. Its ruins, witnesses to the struggles between Catholics and Huguenots, as well as the French Revolution, still whisper to us stories of resistance and renewal. The third building on the same land, it stands today, beautifully maintained and continually restored, under the aegis of the persevering love and cultural sensitivity of its guests. A secret passage remains undiscovered but legend says that it perhaps starts from the well…?

The Du Bellay Era

The French Revolution marked the advent of the Du Bellay family, who imbued the estate with their spirit, enriching the place with their cultural and social influence. These founders, protectors of heritage and passionate builders, have infused the estate with a soul that endures, a heritage that continues to inspire and amaze. Any visitor will immediately feel the infinitely gentle waves that vibrate in the place.

A domain, a living poem

Today, the castle, with its gardens composed like the stanzas of a poem, sometimes versified according to the rules of the art, sometimes in free verse, its orchards and its old stables and stables, is a harmonious symphony of ancient and modern. Each element of the estate tells a story of survival and flourishing, faithful to the spirit of the generations who animated it.

Invitation to cross the centuries

We invite each visitor to stroll through the aisles of time, to touch the stories of a joyful past and to project themselves into the promise of a future marked by beauty and tranquility.

Illustration of the Quesnoy-le-Montant castle dating from 1864
Katharina vous accueille avec son plus beau sourire
Katharina Crespo, founder of Château Le Bas Bleu

The new life of Château Le Bas Bleu

Since 2021, the Château has embraced its new vocation as a guest house, opening its doors to guests, artists and travelers in search of memorable moments. Within it, each stay is an opportunity for unforgettable encounters and inspirations.

Katharina is the steward of Château Le Bas Bleu. Writer, theater director and multilingual actress, she is passionate about arts and cultures.

Committed to encouraging real human encounters, she will welcome you in French, English, German or Spanish and will take great care to make your stay as pleasant and charming as possible within the castle grounds.

Treat yourself to an escape to Château Le Bas Bleu in a world where time seems to stand still.

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