Paris1972-Versailles2003

Lots of history here, and lots of memories visiting and riding once living in nearby Versailles. It has been a while and perhaps nostalgic ,glad to found me an older pic in my cd rom vault to share here for you and me, Therefore,here is my take on this is Buc !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

The town of Buc is in the Yvelines department no ,78 in the Île-de-France region of my belle France. The town is 5 km from Versailles, 28 km from Paris. Its neighboring towns are Versailles, 4 km from Jouy-en-Josas, 2 km from Les Loges-en-Josas, 4 km from Toussus-le-Noble , 7 km from Châteaufort, and 5 km from Guyancourt The town is crossed along a north-south axis by the D938 that takes you from Versailles to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse. I came here along the Rue de la Paroisse right to Rue du Maréchal Foch into Avenue de l’Europe, to Rue Royale ,right on Rue Henri de Regnier right on route Saint Martin (D938) to Buc.

I am doing this post gladly found me a picture in my cd rom vault on the Château du Haut-Buc, The old château was included in the grand park of Versailles and served as a residence for Louis XIV, one of his illegitimate children, the Count of Toulouse and Duke of Penthièvre, Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, whose mother was the Madame de Montespan. He found peace in here until his legitimization in 1681, It was destroyed in 1740 on the orders of Louis XV. The current château, owned by the town, was built on the site around 1864 in a refined 19C style , Upon his rise to power, King Louis XV had these three castles destroyed in 1741, (see below). Only a few statues and the caretaker’s house at the entrance to the park remain from this period. In 1954, under the banner of the Ministry of National Education, the castle became the boarding school for the La Bruyère girls’ high school in Versailles. In 1987, the town of Buc bought the castle for renovation. The estate has since housed the Municipal Music School, whose students and teachers regularly give concerts, as well as a wedding hall and meeting and reception rooms. Today, it hosts most of the town’s cultural and sporting events. Its park is open to the public all year round and you can still admire a sculptural ensemble of five sculptures, copies of works by Etienne Le Hongre and Pierre I Legros; a canal, ponds and colonnades.

Other things to see here are the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church built from millstone from the 12C, enlarged in 1994. The nave is Gothic, the bell tower Romanesque. In the bell tower, the bell, cast and blessed in 1775 and named Louise Auguste Adélaïde by her godfather Louis XVI, The Buc Aqueduct: built by Louvois in 1686 to supply the park of the Château de Versailles from the Saclay ponds, it has 19 millstone arches, 21 meters high, and is 580 meters long, Fort du Haut-Buc was part of the fortified belt of the city. The fort is currently used by the police for training. The Maison du Parc: located in Haut-Buc overlooking the city/town hall and the church, this tricotel-style house, like the Wood Cottage located in Vésinet, belonged to the chemist Edmond Frémy and then to the famous aviator Louis Blériot.

A bit of history I like tell us that this territory was attached to the domain of Versailles in 1660 and frequented by Louis XIV during his hunting trips. During 1684-1686 was construction work on the Buc aqueduct. From 1874-1879: construction of the Haut-Buc fort. In July 25, 1909: Louis Blériot settles on 200 hectares; he establishes his private aerodrome and, in 1913, a flight school. Three royal castles were built there for the children that Louis XIV had with Madame de Montespan: the Château du Haut Buc (1696 – 1741), the Château du Désert, Bois de Satory (1690 – 1743) and the Château d’Etoile, Bois des Gonards (1707 – 1728). All were demolished during the reign of Louis XV. Only the Château de la Guérinière, intended for the King’s first equerry, was still visible in 1945.

The town of Buc general map location: https://www.villedebuc.fr/18/plan-de-la-ville.htm

The Yvelines dept 78 tourist office on the heritage of Buc: https://www.destination-yvelines.fr/visites-et-decouvertes/aqueduc-et-arcades-de-buc/

There you go folks, a historical wonderful area we love from our former hunting ground. The town of Buc is worth the detour, and you should enjoy it all surrounded by lush surrounding in noble French traditions. Again, hope you enjoy this post on this is Buc !!! as I .

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!