Why does a neoclassical facade sport a 1524 date on its lintel? The current château was built in 1524 in the heart of Maîche, replacing an older medieval castle on a nearby hill, of which only ruins remain today. The structure was later heavily remodeled in the 18th century by the Marquis Alexandre-Nicolas-Joseph and François-Xavier-Joseph Guyot de Maîche.
The Guyot family owned the property for centuries until it passed to Anne de Mérode, who married Charles de Montalembert. It remains a private property today, though it has been listed as a historical monument since 1950. On the eve of the Alsace offensive, a meeting was organized here to prepare for the final attack.
On November 13, 1944, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, and Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, along with the American high commands, gathered here. Churchill wanted to see a French army he had encountered previously. The château still preserves its 19th-century panoramic wallpaper in the grand salon. While it is a private property, the building remains a significant piece of regional heritage.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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