Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of the Gué-Péan derives its name from an ancient Roman ford crossing a nearby stream, evoking a "paying ford" which became "Gué-Péan". Its construction began in 1543 under the leadership of Nicolas Alaman, seigneur of the place, and was completed in 1573 under the direction of his grandson. The estate, erected as a chestnut, passed into the hands of the Alaman family before being sold in 1676 to François de La Motte-Villebret, Count of Aspremont. The building, with a square plan flanked by four round towers, preserves defensive elements like a round road adorned with false mâchicoulis.

In the 18th century, the castle changed owners several times: the Amelot family took possession of it for 62 years, followed by Cassin in 1832, the first permanent residents. The latter added an orangery in 1885, transforming a gallery into a winter garden. In 1961, the estate was acquired by Raymond Massiet (the company of the Liberation), then by architect Denis Lambing in 1995, known for his work at the Futuroscope. The facades, roofs and access bridge are classified as Historic Monuments on October 10, 1980.

The castle, now privately owned, is visited in summer and during the European Heritage Days. Its architecture combines Renaissance elements (Henry II building) and outbuildings organized in quadrilateral. A nearby Roman way and its seigneurial history bear witness to the social and architectural evolutions of the region, from the 15th to the 20th century.

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