Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Marquetterie, built from 1734 in Pierry near Epernay, was commanded by a rich family of drapiers from the region. This estate includes a famous vineyard, operated by Brother Oudart, one of the pioneers of champagne, and later known as "Les Folies de la Marquetterie". The property became a meeting place for personalities such as Voltaire and André Chénier, invited by his owner, the writer Jacques Cazotte, guillotine in 1792.

During the First World War, the castle served as headquarters for General Édouard de Castelnau in September 1915, where he led a victorious offensive. Marshal Joffre also stayed there. In 1932, Pierre Taittinger, seduced by this place discovered during the war, acquired it to make it his family residence and the heart of his champagne house, exploiting the vineyards of chardonnay and pinot noir of the surrounding hillsides.

At the end of World War II, the castle was briefly occupied by a band of the 7th American Army. Today, it still belongs to the Taittinger group and bears witness to the close links between wine heritage, literary history and major military events.

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