Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Alteville consists of two buildings built at different times: a 16th century strong house and an 18th century pavilion. The first part, built in 1564 by Étienne Toupet, trillor of the salines of Dieuze, is a typical construction of the time, with a turret, murderers and sled windows. This fief was granted to him by Duke Charles IV of Lorraine, thus marking its importance in the region.

In 1698 Charles Palléot, a cavalry officer, built the second building, a two-storey square pavilion flanked by two wings. He also added a chapel dedicated to Saint Charles. The castle changed owners several times, notably in 1786, when it belonged to Nicolas Leclerc, general farmer of Lorraine and Barrois. His son-in-law, Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas Vivaux, celebrated his marriage there in 1786.

In the 19th century, the castle passed into the hands of several influential families, including General Charles Louis Dieudonné Grandjean in 1819, and his son Victor Aimé in 1827. In 1859, François-Paul de Guaita, general councillor of the Meurthe and scholar farmer, became its owner after his marriage to Marie Amélie Grandjean. Their son, Stanislas de Guaita, a famous occultist and poet, was born there in 1861 and died there in 1897.

During the Second World War, the castle suffered extensive damage: German troops destroyed the chapel and looted woodwork and chimneys. After the war, the estate was restored and partially transformed into guest rooms, preserving its historical heritage.

The castle of Alteville is a remarkable example of Lorrain architecture, combining 16th century defensive elements and 18th century classical elegance. Its history reflects the political and social developments of the region, from the period of the Dukes of Lorraine to the contemporary period.

Today, the castle is a place full of history, associated with prominent personalities such as Stanislas de Guaita. It embodies the architectural and cultural heritage of Tarquimpol, a village situated in a preserved natural environment, between ponds and forests, in the heart of the Lorraine Regional Natural Park.

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