Château de Millemont

Château de Millemont is located in the municipality of Millemont, France. Its origins trace back to the early 16th century, when the first main building known as the “small château” was constructed in 1515. This initial structure was commissioned by the sieur d’Haville, an important regional figure who served as governor of Monfort and bailli, or administrative magistrate, under King François I during the Renaissance period of France.

In the early 18th century, specifically in 1710, a second building called the “grand château” was added to the estate by Guillaume IV de Briçonnet. He held significant judicial offices as avocat général at the Grand Conseil and conseiller at the Parlement of Paris, indicating the château’s connection to high-ranking legal and political circles of the Ancien Régime.

Throughout the 19th century, Château de Millemont experienced several transfers of ownership reflecting broader social and political changes in France. The prince de Polignac acquired the property in 1827. About sixteen years later, in 1843, the princess de Polignac sold the château to M. Richard, a prosperous Parisian lawyer. The estate then passed to his son Maurice Richard, who served as a minister during the Second Empire. Maurice Richard was actively involved in political dynamics surrounding the Bonapartist movement, a political faction advocating the restoration of the Napoléon dynasty.

An event of political significance took place at Millemont in 1872 when Maurice Richard hosted Prince Napoléon. At that time, the prince faced expulsion from France under orders from the government led by Adolphe Thiers, reflecting the tense political atmosphere during the early Third Republic.

After the death of Maurice Richard in 1888, the château was purchased by Georges Béjot, a stockbroker with leadership ties to the Société centrale des chasseurs, a prominent hunting association. The estate remained in the Béjot family until 1987, when Béjot’s great-granddaughter, Colette de Baudus, sold it to Kiiko Nakahara and Jean-Claude Perez-Vanneste, also known as Jean-Paul Renoir. The new owners had holdings in several other European properties but left Château de Millemont unoccupied for a period, during which its condition declined. Recent efforts have since been made to restore the château.

The historical and architectural importance of Château de Millemont has been officially recognized by French heritage authorities. The outbuildings, or communs, received historic monument status on April 28, 1947. The entire château complex was later classified as a historic monument on January 25, 1965, ensuring legal protection and encouraging preservation.

In the 21st century, the château has attracted attention beyond its architectural heritage. In the summer of 2015, it hosted the POC21 innovation camp, demonstrating adaptability to contemporary initiatives. It has also served as a filming location for several films, including productions released in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2022, linking the site to modern cultural projects.