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Origin and history

The small pavilion called La turrelle is an element of the estate of Valenton Castle, located at the western end of the property. Built between the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century, it was probably built for Eusebius Jacques Chaspoux de Verneuil, who introduced ambassadors between 1725 and 1740, or for Jean-Baptiste Halma de Belmont, owner from 1752. Its cut stone architecture, decorated with a doric order and covered with a dome in slate, reflects the classical style of the era. The architect Contant d-Ivry is sometimes quoted as his designer, although this attribution remains uncertain.

The pavilion survived the transformations of the estate, including the division of property in 1839 and the ruin of the main castle in 1844. Unlike the building body rebuilt in the 19th century and flanked by towers around 1925, La turret retained its integrity. It was classified as a historic monument by order of 16 June 1948, recognizing its heritage value. The surrounding park, loti in the 20th century, lost part of its original layout, but the pavilion remains a testimony to the history of the estate.

The castle of Valenton, on which the turret depended, was originally decorated with a courtyard, regular gardens, a pond and a fountain. After 1839, the property was split in half along Gironde's ru. A new castle, called the turret, was built in 1885 by architect Duchemin in the other part of the park, but it should not be confused with the historic pavilion. The materials used for the latter, such as Fontainebleau stone and brick, illustrate the construction techniques of Ile-de-France in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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