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Origin and history

The Château des Étangs, first mentioned in 1404, is a medieval building located in the commune of Les Étangs, Moselle. From its first historical quote, it was destroyed by a feudal coalition, revealing its strategic importance in local tensions. This castle, of trapezoidal plan, is characterized by round towers at the corners, a rectangular dungeon to the west, and a central courtyard surrounded by elongated buildings. Its initial defences included a drawbridge and ditches, which disappeared in the 18th century.

Over the centuries, the castle suffered several destructions and reconstructions. In 1490, it was ruined and burned by the Lorrains, then damaged in 1518 by Robert de la Marck, a key actor in regional conflicts. In 1552, the French burned and destroyed him again. Despite these vicissitudes, the castle was still described in 1681 as an imposing building, with three towers, a dovecote, and defensive elements. Major changes occurred in the 18th century, during the Second Empire, and in the late 20th century, gradually transforming its structure.

The present protections of the castle concern its facades, roofs, the floor of the courtyard and terraces, as well as a room of the north tower, inscribed in the Historical Monuments since 2004. These elements testify to its architectural evolution, mixing medieval traces and subsequent adaptations. The site, although partially altered, retains a precise location at 2 rue de la Vignette, with a geographical reliability deemed satisfactory (note 8/10).

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