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Jacques I Androuët du Cerceau (c. 1515-1585) - French architect and designer

The son of a Parisian wine merchant, Androuët became a well-known architect in Orléans before being appointed architect to the king’s sister, Marguerite d’Angoulème. He went on to design structures for Henri II and Charles IX and is credited with designing the plans for the châteaux of Verneuil. His nickname “Cerceau” (“hoop”) refers to the symbol he used in lieu of a signature on his work. Despite his dedication to the king of France, Androuët, a Protestant, always refused to convert to Catholicism. Pierre de l’Estoile said of him in his diary, “He will preserve his honour and his conscience until the end of his days.”

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