Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house called La Villa de la Montagne was built around 1885 in Champigny-sur-Marne for Fernand Martin (1849-1919), manufacturer of automatic toys. Placed on a land overlooking the Marne, it mixes millstone and cutting stone, with a discreet inspiration of Italian and seaside architecture. The south facade features painted terracotta medallions representing Martin's iconic toys, while a gallery lined with arcades highlights its elegance.

In 1900 and 1906, architect Lucien Gillet enlarged the property. At the rear, Fernand Martin had the Scandinavian pavilion designed by Charles Garnier rebuilt for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. Fully made of wooden logs, this pavilion is the last vestige of a series of buildings illustrating the history of human habitat. The house and its pavilion, classified in 1995, testify to architectural eclecticism and the playful industry of the time.

The site, located at 23 Martelet Avenue, maintains a satisfactory location (note 7/10). The facades and roofs of the Scandinavian pavilion, as well as the entire house, have been protected under the Historical Monuments since the decree of 7 July 1995. No information is available on its current access (visits, rental, or accommodation).

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