Tilloloy brings together the history of the Château de Tilloloy, a French formal garden, a Renaissance church and an architectural detail with a Parisian past. There is also a literary connection to the First World War and the RETRO C TROP music festival. When choosing Tilloloy as a destination, you can decide what to focus on: the history of the château and garden, architecture, literature or a particular edition of the festival.
Château and garden: two heritage listings
The Domaine de Tilloloy is partially classified as a Monument historique under an order dated 4 March 1994. The French formal garden of the Château de Tilloloy has also been classified as a Monument historique since 1994. These two statements refer to different areas: the estate’s listing is explicitly partial, while the garden itself is named. Those interested in heritage history therefore have two specific points of reference for understanding the estate and its design. The garden is not merely another name associated with the château, but a distinct part of the site’s history.
A portal with a Parisian past
The Portail de l'hôtel d'Hinnisdal has a cartouche bearing the inscription “HOTEL / D'HINNISDAL”. Its history leads to Paris: the portal comes from the Hôtel d'Hinnisdal on Rue Cassette in the Saint-Sulpice district. It was probably moved to the park of the Château de Tilloloy and rebuilt there around 1906. This makes it possible to distinguish its origins from its later location: the portal came to Tilloloy from the Saint-Sulpice district of Paris. This relocation makes the feature a distinct point of entry into the history of the park, in addition to its connection with the château and formal garden.
A Renaissance church in the courtyard of honour
The Eglise de Tilloloy is a Renaissance church; its stained-glass windows are its finest adornment. Its elegant brick-and-stone façade fits into the courtyard of honour of the Château de Tilloloy. Alongside the château and garden, this adds another architectural theme: the relationship between church architecture, materials and the surrounding courtyard of honour. The church thus complements the estate’s history with a distinct perspective on Renaissance architecture and stained glass when choosing what to include in a stay.
A literary connection to the First World War
Tilloloy’s history is also explored in literature. Blaise Cendrars writes about the place in his book “La Main coupée”, recounting his Foreign Legion unit’s passage through the village. This connection differs from the architectural themes of the château, garden, portal and church: it offers a particular narrative approach to Tilloloy’s history during the First World War. Those who prefer to explore historical context through literature rather than architecture will find another point of connection here.
Festival and activities in the park
Since 2016, the Château de Tilloloy has hosted the RETRO C TROP festival. The festival features music by artists from the 1950s to the 2000s. During the festival, the stage is set in front of the château, while the lawns of the courtyard of honour serve as a gathering area for festivalgoers. This arrangement may change from one edition to another. The château park is also available for outdoor activities such as receptions, exhibitions and concerts; specific event plans may vary.
If you are planning a trip around the festival, the particular edition, its dates and its programme are therefore key; dates and line-ups change. The historical and architectural themes offer a different reason to travel than a particular festival date. You can look for a holiday rental for your stay based on whether you want to include Tilloloy in your plans mainly for its heritage history, the church and its stained-glass windows, the portal’s Parisian origins or a particular edition of RETRO C TROP.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Villers-sous-Ailly, Velennes, Cahon Gouy, Airaines, Beaumetz, Cerisy-Buleux, Saint-LĂ©ger-Sur-Bresle, Bray-sur-Somme
For the broader travel overview: Somme.
