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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Mouillon, located in Rive-de-Gier in the Loire department, is a rare example of a "city castle" built in the 19th century. It is distinguished by its urban integration, surrounded by a park of nearly 6,000 m2, between the streets of Professor Roux and the Republic. This monument, initially a modest house, was gradually expanded by local industrial families, including the Arbels and the Marrels, reflecting the architectural and social ambitions of the bourgeoisie of the time.

The property consisted of the successive acquisition of parcels between 1811 and 1894. The owners include Victor Dugas de la Catonnière and the parents of Jean-Baptiste Chambeyron, architect of the Saint John church, who designed the first plans of the building. Lucien Arbel, engineer and founder of the Forges de Couzon, enlarged the house before giving it in 1894 to Henri Marrel, who gave it its present appearance, inspired by the castles of Tourangels, with additions of turrets, loggias and roofs in slate.

Henri Marrel (1859–1934) and his wife Jeanne, his first cousin, lived in a two-storey house on the street side and three floors on the park side, surrounded by communes dedicated to the staff ( stables, saddlery, orangery, domestic housing and preceptors). The interior preserves original decorations, such as the "large living room", exact copy of the oval living room of the Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, or a fireplace reproducing that of the room of Louis XV in Versailles. These elements, combined with troubadour-style furniture and Lyon School paintings, illustrate the refinement of the period.

The castle, partially registered with the Historical Monuments since 1995, protects its facades, roofs, as well as emblematic interior spaces (hall entrance, staircase, dining room, library). His architect, Dodat, and Parisian artisans contributed to his beautification, making this place an architectural and social witness of the late nineteenth century, marked by the industrial influence and eclectic tastes of the bourgeoisie.

Today, the Château du Mouillon remains a symbol of local heritage, combining family history, industrial heritage and artistic inspiration. Its park, outbuildings and preserved interior decorations offer a unique insight into the life of the regional elites at a time of profound economic and cultural transformation.

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