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Origin and history

The castle of La Grange-Bléneau, located in Courpalay in Seine-et-Marne, finds its origins in the 14th century as a fortress. An admission of 1363, written by Ancel de La Grange, describes a "old fortress" girdled with ditches, with a lowyard, a dovecote and a closed city. The document also mentions strict seigneurial rights, such as the regulation of fishing in the river of Ierre, with fines for violators. This site, dependent on Melun's chestnut, was then owned by the Courtenay and Aubusson-La Feuillade families, before passing to the Dupré de La Grange Blesneau and to the Aguesseau.

In the 17th century, the castle was taken by the troops of the prince of Condé during the disturbances of the minority of Louis XIII, marking its role in the political conflicts of the period. In the 18th century, it was profoundly redesigned: the 16th century buildings were restructured, and Hubert Robert collaborated with Antoine Vaudoyer to develop the gardens at the request of Lafayette. The latter, after having received it as an inheritance through his wife Adrienne de Noailles, resided there from 1802 to 1834, preserving his library and archives on American independence.

The castle, classified as a historical monument in 1942, has remained unchanged since the death of Lafayette. In 1935, René de Chambrun, descendant of the general, bought from his cousin Louis de Lasteyrie and discovered unpublished archives, classified in 2003. Today, the site belongs to the Josée-et-René-de-Chambrun Foundation (recognized public utility in 1959), which preserves both the architectural heritage and Lafayette-related collections, as well as Pierre Laval's private archives. The foundation also manages Châteldon Castle and medieval houses in Courpalay.

The architecture of the castle combines medieval defensive elements (five 15th century circular towers, drawbridge) and 18th-18th century developments, such as the three houses and the chapel. In 2012, Lafayette's personal objects, transmitted by her progeny, were sold at auction. In 2007, the foundation also won the Cincinnati Society's George Washington Medal for $5.3 million, strengthening its historical heritage.

The site, open to the visit, bears witness to the seigneurial history (feudal rights, fortifications) and Franco-American ties, thanks to Lafayette. The gardens, designed by Hubert Robert, and the preserved interiors offer an overview of the aristocratic life in the 18th to 19th centuries. The foundation, initially headed by René de Chambrun (lawyer and descendant of Lafayette) and Josée Laval (daughter of Pierre Laval), moved its headquarters to Paris in 2003, while maintaining its conservation missions.

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