The origins of Jacques Androuet Hoop are uncertain, both as regards their place and date of birth as the quality of his parents. Orleans, Le Mans could have been cities that have seen his birth but it seems that Paris is the most plausible hypothesis, and that around 1515, maybe a little before. His nickname of Du Cerceau comes from the form of a sign (a circle) who was hanged at his home. This type of sign hoop designated taverns at the time. This item has sometimes left thinking he was the son of tenant of one of these shops.
Androuet du Cerceau published some books with very large models of ornaments and works on architecture, which will have a strong influence on French architects of the seventeenth century and beyond. His best-known work undoubtedly remains Les plus excellents bastiments de France where he describes in minute detail and talent the major achievements of the architects of his time. His drawings, plans, elevations, details and comments are a unique testimony to the buildings many of which no longer exist, or have been extensively remodeled over the centuries.
He is strongly marked by his two trips to Italy where he has the opportunity to discover the works of Palladio.
Old, he spent some time in Montargis where he resides near Renée de France, Duchess of Chartres and Montargis, Ferrara Duke's widow who hosted in her castle many famous Huguenot. He worked for the renovation of the castle of Montargis (destroyed) he describes in his book Les plus excellents bastiments de France. He is credited in particular of the choir of the parish church Sainte-Madeleine.
Huguenot, he approaches the Duke of Nemours in Annecy, to avoid persecution, and died in Annecy around 1585.
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