Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Valenton Castle, located in the municipality of Val-de-Marne, has its origins in the 18th century. It was probably built for Eusebius Jacques Chaspoux de Verneuil, who introduced ambassadors between 1725 and 1740. The estate then included a courtyard, a regular garden, a pond, a fountain and a farm. A pavilion, nicknamed the turret, was later added, either for Chaspoux de Verneuil or for his successor, Jean-Baptiste Halma de Belmont, who acquired the castle in 1752. The architect Contant d'Ivry is sometimes mentioned as his designer, although this attribution remains uncertain.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent major transformations. In 1839, the property was divided in two by Gironde's ru. In 1844, the main body, then in ruins, was rebuilt at its original location, then flanked by two towers around 1925. In the other part of the park, a new castle, called the turret, was erected in 1885 by architect Duchemin. The park of the latter was loti in the 20th century, while the pavilion the turret was classified historic monument by decree of 16 June 1948.

Today, Valenton Castle bears witness to these architectural metamorphoses, mixing 18th century heritage and subsequent reconstructions. Its classified pavilion and remains of its park recall its aristocratic past, between residential functions and prestige symbols. The 20th century estates, however, fragmented the original ensemble, partially altering its historical unity.

External links