Louis Dreux of Châtre

Louis Dreux of Châtre (Paris, December 9th 1721 - 1792) is a Architecte French. He in particular contributed to the recontruction of the Château of Compiegne.

Its youth

Born on December 9th, baptized on December 11th 1721 with Paris, parish Saint-Nicolas-of-Fields, Louis Dreux of Châtre is the son of Denis Dreux, and Marie Gireaux. His/her father builds the vault of the Château of Compiegne and will be architect during 22 years and allowed with the royal Académie of architecture in 1749. He will be then Fourrier of the House of the king.

Louis Dreux of Châtre enters to the service of the buildings of the king in 1739. He is controller of the buildings of Meudon and Compiegne.

January 8th 1753 with Versailles, Notre Dame parish, Louis Dreux of Châtre marries Marie Gleron Rappe, girl of a carrier of the count de Toulouse. This prince helps the children of his servants and his close relations to be occupied of the important functions at the Court or the ministry for the marine. The woman of Louis Dreux of Châtre is the aunt of the poet and dramatic author and academician Jean-François Ducis (1733 - 1816).

In 1756, a true room of theater is high according to its plans in Versailles, street Royale. Louis Dreux of Châtre is at that time architect and draftsman of the king. He lives street of the Parish, house the Young person with Versailles. He is gratifié of a pension on January 1st 1768, as an architect and a draftsman of the roy. He still saw in 1774 in Versailles. From its marriage were born two girls: Marie Victoire, who marries Jean de Crouy d' Arcy, lord of the Tower of Avet; and Marie-Therese, who marries François Jacques Dalmas.

Royal architect of the Castle of Compiegne

Louis Dreux of Châtre is at that time Contrôleur of the Bâtiments of the King, gardens, arts, academies and manufactures of His Majesty, then it is known as: royal Architect of the Castle of Compiegne , in 1775.

Louis XV decides in 1751 to entirely rebuild the Château of Compiegne. Dreux is the pupil of Angel-Jacques Gabriel, then his collaborator. It succeeds to him in 1776 and completes the construction of the castle. With this castle built between 1751 and 1788, Angel-Jacques Gabriel and Dreux of Châtre carry out one of the most sober monuments of the neo-classic Architecture French. Concerning the Castle of Compiegne:

The provisions are convenient, its composition takes again those which the tradition imposed on Versailles for the ceremonial of the Court, and nothing essence was changed in the plans establish by Gabriel and scrupulously realized by its successor Dreux of Châtre. But this beautiful very new castle will not be useful; Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette which had been interested however much in its realization, discussing and developing until the details certain parts of their apartments or that of the children of France, will not come there.

Its family

In May 1779, it lives with Compiegne. His/her daughter, Marie Victoire Marie with Compiegne, Saint-Jacob parish, on May 8th 1781. Her husband, Jean François Hyacinthe Crouy d' Arcy is Bodyguard of the king, in the company of Villeroy, brigade of the Valley. He will be in 1794 particular receiver of finances in the Election of Compiegne (treasurer). Another of his/her daughters Marie with Jacques François Dalmas, on November 10th, 1786, there still with Compiegne, Saint-Jacob parish. He is Écuyer, captain with the Royal-Auvergne regiment, future 18th regiment of infantry of line, first lieutenant in 1784, knight of Saint Louis on March 1st, 1791 and the future mayor of Compiegne in 1805. The three girls of Louis Dreux of Chatre are thus married with men occupying of the important functions, which are the noble ones or members of the high-middle-class, in spite of their modest origins. Its nephew, Jean-François Ducis is elected member of the French Academy, in 1778.

End of its life

In 1789, Louis Dreux of Châtre still appears like Contrôleur of the Bâtiments of the king in Compiegne. A pension of 1.000 books is granted to him in consideration of its services in the Bâtiments of the King, since 1739, where it successively filled the place of controller at the departments of Meudon and Compiegne. His/her two daughters will have to receive with her death, they-also, a pension.

It is at his place that take refuge after the Journée of August 10th, 1792, after the catch of the Tuileries, Jean-Baptiste Cléry, the servant of Louis XVI, and Agathe de Rambaud, her cousin, which raised the Dauphin, future Louis XVII, since his birth

Louis Dreux of Châtre died in the end of the year 1792 in Paris.

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