Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Château des Arcs, also known as Maison Renaissance or Fief des Arcs, is a building located in Cachan in the Val-de-Marne. Built in the 16th century by Claude d'Aligre, treasurer of the Menus-Plaisirs of King Francis I, it relies on three piles and a portion of arch of the Roman aqueduct of Lutece. This monument was deeply marked by its environment, notably by the construction of the Medici aqueduct in the seventeenth century, which partially masked its northern facade. The castle has traversed the centuries by changing owners from noble families like the Doujat to bourgeois families like the Besson or the Cousin de Méricourt.

Over the centuries, the castle has undergone several architectural changes. In the 17th century, an L-house and an agricultural building were added. In the 19th century, major changes were made, such as the addition of a floor, an ion column perron and a gate closing the courtyard. The castle was also marked by important legacies, such as that of Palmyra Anaclete Besson (wife of Provigny), who bequeathed the estate to the Public Assistance in 1908. Today, it houses the Cachan Music Conservatory.

The remains of the Roman aqueduct, integrated into the castle, were classified as a historical monument in 1862, followed by the castle itself in 1875. These elements were the subject of a major restoration campaign in the 1990s. The castle is a unique architectural and historical testimony, mixing ancient remains, a Renaissance structure and subsequent transformations, reflecting the social and cultural evolutions of the region.

The estate of the castle is delimited by streets bearing the names of its former owners, such as Rue Besson or Avenue Cousin-de-Méricourt. The Bièvre, a historic river, passes under the castle, adding a natural dimension to this site full of history. The castle also housed a collection of violins, including a Stradivarius of 1716, now exhibited at the Musée de la Musique in Paris.

The history of the castle is closely linked to that of its owners, some of whom have marked local and national history. Among them are figures such as Bertrand du Guesclin, whose weapons have been integrated into Cachan's coat of arms, or influential families such as the Doujat, the Deleinte, and the Cousin de Méricourt. These families have helped shape the identity of the castle throughout the centuries.

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