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Origin and history

Montoy Castle, located in Montoy-Flanville en Moselle, is a three-level building whose origins date back at least to the sixteenth century, with architectural traces such as the high square tower of the guard and the so-called round tower of the chapel. Although deeply reshaped in the 18th century, it retained defensive elements characteristic of its fortress past, such as the towers and a dovecote. After 1965, the castle underwent major restoration, while now home to private apartments and a disused chapel where the Brazy-Durand families of Aunoux rest.

Originally, the castle belonged to Jean Cheverson, master-sheep of Metz, about 1480 before being besieged and burned in 1518 by Franz von Sickingen's troops during a punitive expedition against Metz. Reconstructed by Michel Chaverson, it became a fortress before being brought in dowry in 1531 to Robert de Heu, lord of Clervant and influential Huguenot leader. Under his auspices, the castle became a high place of the Reformation in Messin, welcoming notably the preacher Guillaume Farel in 1542, under the echevinate of Gaspard, Robert's brother.

The estate frequently changed hands after 1618, passing among other things to officers of the Metz Parliament such as Armand-Philippe Charuel in the 18th century, then to the Brazy family, including Jean-Nicolas Brazy in 1748. In the 19th century, it was inherited by Louis Durand d'Aunoux and his wife Adélaïde-Louise de Larminat, before being sold in 1885 to Baron Pierre-Louis de Larminat, then to Dominique Juste. Today, the castle, entirely renovated as housing, still bears witness to its turbulent history through its remains and funeral chapel.

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