Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Vallon is a 19th century building located in Entrammes, in the department of Mayenne, about 1.5 km north of the village. Abbé Angot describes it as a "modern building with towers at four angles", with a central skylight adorned with an armorized shield supported by two lions in a hump round. This architectural style reflects the eclectic influences of the era, mixing neo-Gothic elements and prestige symbols.

Since the 21st century, the castle has been associated with industrialist Emmanuel Besnier, CEO of Lactalis, who owns it. In 2016, a polemic broke out when the group Lactalis obtained a temporary ban on the rebroadcasting of a report by Envoyé Spécial (France 2) showing images of the castle, deemed to be an attack on privacy. This decision was finally set aside in 2017 by the Court of Appeal of Angers, and then upheld by the Laval court, which considers that the location and identity of the owner were already public.

The 2017 judgment points out that the castle, visible on platforms like Google Maps, is part of the local heritage accessible. This case illustrates the tensions between the right to image, public awareness and preservation of architectural heritage. The castle remains a symbol of contemporary issues related to private property and the mediatization of historic sites.

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