Construction of housing 1ère moitié du XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Rectangular building with stair turret.
Début XVIIe siècle
End of residence of the Marins
End of residence of the Marins Début XVIIe siècle (≈ 1704)
Rent the castle to farmers.
XVIIe–XIXe siècle
Construction of dependencies
Construction of dependencies XVIIe–XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Colombier, barns and built rides.
5 novembre 2003
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 5 novembre 2003 (≈ 2003)
Home, dove and barn protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The body of houses (façades and roofs), the dovecote, the north barn including the former ride (Box AH 5): inscription by decree of 5 November 2003
Key figures
Famille des Marins - Former owner
Abandon the castle in the 17th century.
Origin and history
The Château de l'Echelle-le-Franc, located in Montmirail in the Great East, is a historical monument whose main house body dates from the first half of the sixteenth century. This rectangular building, with an outstanding staircase turret, illustrates Renaissance residential architecture. From the beginning of the 17th century, the family of the Marins, then owner, ceased to reside there, and the premises were rented to farmers, marking a change of use towards an agricultural vocation.
The outbuildings of the castle, including a dovecote, barns and a former ride, were built between the 17th and 19th centuries. These buildings, made of traditional materials of the Champagne Brie (stone, brick, torchi) reflect the changing economic and agricultural needs of the region. The dovecote, symbol of seigneurial right, and barns testify to the importance of agricultural activities in the history of the estate.
The castle and some of its outbuildings (house bodies, dovecote, north barn and former carousel) were listed in the Historical Monuments by order of 5 November 2003. This protection recognizes the heritage value of the site, mixing Renaissance architectural heritage and traces of subsequent transformations related to its farm operation. The approximate address, 10 Rue du Château in Montmirail, places the monument in a rural setting characteristic of the department of the Marne.
