Abandonment by knights XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Emigration to Switzerland from invasions
vers 1502
Initial construction
Initial construction vers 1502 (≈ 1502)
Date engraved on the gardener's housing
1847-1850
Major restorations
Major restorations 1847-1850 (≈ 1849)
Works commissioned by the Count of German
1882
Death of the Count of German
Death of the Count of German 1882 (≈ 1882)
End of the era of the owners ambassadors
1988
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1988 (≈ 1988)
Protection of facades and interior decorations
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fronts and roofs of the house; bathroom of the basement floor of the house, with its decor; living and dining room on the ground floor of the house, with their decor; weapons room on the first floor of the house with its decor; North-East façade and roof of the stable building (Box AB 50): inscription by order of 6 July 1988
Key figures
Chevaliers De Malans - First owners
Noble family emigrated to Switzerland
Comte de Lallemand - Ambassador of Napoleon III
Restore the castle in the 19th century
Origin and history
Malans Castle, located in the commune of the same name in Haute-Saône, is an iconic Renaissance monument built in the early 16th century (about 1502 according to an inscription). Originally, it was a simple dungeon belonging to the knights De Malans, the noble family whose emigration to Switzerland in the 13th century, facing the enemy advance coming from the north, marked local history. These knights, who became Protestants under the name of Malan, gave birth to a famous surname in the Vaud world, although this link remains to be confirmed.
In the mid-19th century, the Count of Lallemand, ambassador of Napoleon III and owner of the premises until his death in 1882, undertook important restorations. These include the construction of a monumental staircase, the renovation of the facades (dated 1847 and 1850 engraved), and the beautification of interiors, such as the weapons room or woodwork on the first floor. The castle is also distinguished by its bathroom decorated with two classified frescoes, a rarity in France. Its inscription in the Historical Monuments in 1988 protects today its facades, roofs, and remarkable interior decorations.
Strategically located on the banks of Ognon, the castle occupied a historic corridor between Franche-Comté and Val de Saône, used since ancient times. This position reflects its initial defensive role, before its transformation into aristocratic residence. The stables, the tower of stairs with arrows, and the carriage sheds testify to its architectural evolution, mixing medieval heritage and Renaissance elegance.
The estate, which numbered 25 pieces, illustrates the nobility of the Second Empire, while maintaining traces of its medieval origins. The presence of the AN RE monogram above the main entrance (1850) recalls the influence of the Count of German, a key figure in his recent history. Today, the castle remains a testimony of the links between architectural heritage, local history, and European Protestant memory.
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