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Origin and history

The castle of La Berlière, built in 1740 by Mathieu de Fumeron, local lord and war commissioner, embodies 18th century madness architecture. The building, made of yellow stone, is distinguished by its raised ground floor, its basement floor at the Mansart, and a facade structured in five spans. A double-flyed porch, flat pilasters and a triangular pediment adorn the entrance. Inside, the chimneys from Belval Abbey bear witness to a recycled religious heritage. Kitchens and commons, vaulted, occupy the base.

The castle, sold as a national property after the emigration of the son of Fumeron, played a strategic role in May 1940: it housed the command post of General Grandsard (10th army corps), under the command of General Huntziger (2nd army). It is here that the latter learns, on 13 May, the German breakthrough and the crossing of the Meuse near Wadelincourt. The site, surrounded by a park with lindens and carved boxes, was listed as historical monuments in 1984 for its facades, roofs, and two historic chimneys.

Located at the exit of the village of La Berlière (Ardennes), in the Bièvre valley, the castle illustrates the contrasting destiny of seigneurial houses: a place of power in the eighteenth century, it became a military issue in 1940 before being preserved for its architectural heritage. The sources mention its partial inscription (façades, roofs, fireplaces) and its precise address: 5025 Le Château, 08240 La Berlière.

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