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Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Clémery, located in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle in the Grand Est region, is a monument whose origins date back to at least the 15th century. It was first mentioned in 1416, when the Duke Charles II of Lorraine occupied it to prevent the Duke Edward III of Bar from settling there. This castle, typical of the medieval architecture of Lorraine, will undergo major transformations over the centuries, especially in 1861, where it undergoes major architectural changes.

In the seventeenth century, the castle is the scene of significant military events. In 1635, he was taken by Croats and Poles on 1 September, before being taken over by Marshal François de L'Hospital after a three-day siege on 12 October of the same year. These episodes illustrate his strategic role in the conflicts that then passed through Lorraine. The castle, partially listed in the Historical Monuments in 1986, retains remarkable elements such as two round towers, an entrance pavilion, a large staircase and richly decorated lounges.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Château de Clémery became a prestigious residence. In 1808, Marshal Gérard Christophe Michel Duroc, great marshal of Napoleon I's palace, acquired it. After his death in 1813, the estate was bought in 1831 by Baron of Empire Eugene de Ladoucette, an influential politician. His son, Étienne de Ladoucette, was even mayor of Clémery from 1882 to 1896. These personalities marked the history of the castle, which remains an architectural and historical testimony of Lorraine.

The castle is also linked to a more singular episode in the 20th century: in the 1970s, Michel Collin, a priest self-proclaimed pope under the name of Clement XV, settled there with his supporters in an area nicknamed the "Petit Vatican". This marginal episode adds an unusual dimension to the history of the place. Today, the Château de Clémery, with its protected elements such as the gate, facades, roofs, and some interiors, remains an emblematic heritage of the municipality, reflecting the architectural and historical evolutions of the region.

The municipality of Clémery itself, crossed by La Seille and marked by a rural heritage, offers a rich geographical and historical setting. The castle, with its transformations and its illustrious occupants, embodies the political and social changes of Lorraine, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era. Its partial inscription in the Historical Monuments in 1986 underscores its heritage importance, while preserving key elements of its past, such as the round towers or the large staircase, which bear witness to its architectural evolution.

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