Château de Marbeaumont

The Château de Marbeaumont reflects the social and economic success of its owner, banker Paul Varin-Bernier.
However, beneath this eclecticism lay construction techniques and materials that were highly innovative in the early 20th century. In 1903, Paul Varin-Bernier, owner of the bank established since 1812 on boulevard de la Rochelle, commissioned architect Jules Renard to build a residence on the outskirts of the city, on the site of a villa built for his father, Gabriel Varin-Bernier, in 1866. Luxury and wealth are perfectly expressed in the historicist style chosen by the architect: brick and stone architecture from the Louis XIII period, high French Renaissance roofs, decorative motifs evoking the kings of France, and metal and glass architecture adorned with Art Nouveau floral motifs.
While Euville stone, brick, slate and zinc give the château a traditional appearance, the construction techniques employed are extremely modern for the period.
For example, the basement and first floor slabs are made of reinforced cement, and the all-metal framework was built using the Eiffel process by the Barisian firm Dyckoff. The Varin-Bernier family also enjoyed all the comforts demanded by the upper middle class at the time: elevator, telephone, heating, hot and cold water and, above all, electricity on all floors.
The English-style park was designed by Philippe and Arbeaumont, landscape architects from Vitry-le-François, around 1866-1869. The park?s many avenues provide vistas of the château, whose ostentatious appearance is echoed in the rich colors and shapes of the park?s rare species (fau de Verzy, hackberry, tulip tree, arbre aux quarante écus, etc.).
Occupied by the German General Staff during the Second World War, the château was sold to the City of Bar-le-Duc in 1946. Since 1996, it has housed the Médiathèque Jean-Jeukens, named after the mayor who initiated the purchase.
Guided tours for groups, by appointment only, from the Sud Meuse Tourist Office.

DATAtourisme France