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Origin and history

Thierry's castle was built in 1776 in Ville-d'Avray by Marc-Antoine Thierry, Louis XVI's first valet of rooms, who made it his residence. The estate initially consisted of a cottage, a farm, communes and stables, surrounded by a park decorated with factories. Thierry, anointed by the king in 1783, died during the September massacres in 1792, and his widow sold the castle in 1796.

In 1854, the castle was acquired by Paul Cocteau, notary and mayor of Melun, grandfather of Jean Cocteau. He rented the estate by apartments, including Jean-Baptiste Fréville, Mayor of Sèvres. After several changes of owners, including Madame Paul Lelong and the Count of Lariboisière, the castle became a military hospital during the First World War and was occupied by the Germans during the Second.

Purchased by the commune in 1969 to avoid its demolition, Thierry Castle is today a cultural place welcoming exhibitions, concerts and official meetings. Ranked a historic monument in 1973, it embodies pure neoclassical style, with sober and elegant architecture, typical of the reign of Louis XVI. Its horseshoe staircase and entrance gate, decorated with refined details, are particularly remarkable.

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