Château de Montmort

Montmort-Lucy, France

The Château de Montmort is a stately home built on the site of a medieval castle in the commune of Montmort-Lucy. A castle existed as early as the 11th century and there is still evidence of its existence in the ramparts and ditches. The present buildings seem to date from the 16th century, the time of their reconstruction.

The castle was the headquarters for Karl von Bülow's German Second Army during the First Battle of the Marne. During the battle, Bülow and OHL Commander Helmuth von Moltke the Younger's representative. Richard Hentsch. held a crucial meeting at the castle and agreed that the force was threatened by an Allied encirclement. The subsequent retreat of Bulow's Second and Alexander von Kluck's First Armies was a crucial turning point of the First World War.

Architecture

The lower structure has mullioned bay windows characteristic of the early Renaissance. At the sides, two flush towers were built to hold cannons. Two wings of the lower structure were removed in the 19th century. The higher structure, built later, carries the date of 1577. The building plan corresponds with a reference to the former castle in an old document: a square keep confined by circular towers. One tower includes an inclined ramp to allow horses to reach the higher levels.

The ground floor is composed of vaulted rooms. On the first floor, in the skirtings of the large living room, the engraver and theatre decorator Eugène Cicéri installed painted fabrics in 1851, taking as his inspiration the engravings of Sébastien Bourdon. The gatehouse with its brick turrets is also a 19th-century addition. The château is surrounded by a park and kitchen garden.

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Details

Founded: 16th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.1/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Christophe (2 years ago)
I don't understand people who give a bad rating because they can't enter the castle, it has no relation. As soon as there is a little frustration in people's lives, you have to punish right away... Nobody ever claimed that we were obliged to open it to the public and that is perhaps very good. Like that he has traveled through the ages and there will be no one to degrade him
Danca Radu Gerard (3 years ago)
Nice place!
gilles cruanes (5 years ago)
amazing castle but not for visit. Anyone to buy it? Seems in good condition roof and windows wise...
Ken Moncrieff (Goodgrieff) (7 years ago)
Impressive in outline but unfortunately no access possible unless big group - 20+.
Eric Schneider (12 years ago)
Beautiful chateau
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