Perhaps you recognize the name Guermantes from Marcel Proust’s famous novel. It is indeed the same Guermantes. The writer adopted its name for the origin of the Guermantes family in his work. He chose it because no living members of the family remained.
Now, let us delve deeper into the history of this charming French commune. Guermantes sits in the Seine-et-Marne department within the Île-de-France region. It is part of the Val de Bussy sector of Marne-la-Vallée. The commune’s story is quite interesting.
Once known as Le Chemin, Guermantes officially adopted its current name in the 17th century. Before that, it was also referred to as “le Chemin en Brie”. This name related to the “Grand Chemin de Paris” that crossed the village. It could also refer to the pilgrim routes to Saint Jacques de Compostelle. The Église Saint-Christophe-et-Saint-Jacques supported this. It honors Saint Christopher and Saint James. They are patrons of travelers.
In the 15th century, a fief and château existed near Bussy-Saint-Martin. This was also called Le Chemin-en-Brie. Since the 12th century, the du Chemin family had ruled the area.
Later, the Viole family acquired Guermantes. Claude Viole began constructing new buildings in the early 17th century. These included a manor and a farm with a dovecote. Pierre Viole II received the château as a wedding gift. He expanded the park through land negotiations.
Interestingly, young Louis XIV once spent a night in Guermantes. It was June 27, 1652. He was with his mother Anne and Mazarin.
Over the centuries, ownership of Guermantes changed hands. In 1698, Pierre Viole III sold the property to Paulin Prondre. Prondre then enhanced the estate. Mansart, Perrault, and Le Nôtre contributed to its beauty.
After Prondre, Jean Law acquired Guermantes in 1719. But he failed to pay for it. Paulin Prondre regained possession. His son, Paulin-Gabriel, inherited the land. The Prondre family held Guermantes. They were later known as counts or marquises of Guermantes.
In 1756, lightning ignited a fire. The fire destroyed the library. During the French Revolution, the Prondre family faced imprisonment.
In the 19th century, the Lareinty family came into possession. They did not descend from the Prondre de Guermantes family.
In September 1870, amidst the Franco-Prussian War, Wilhelm I of Prussia visited the château. He came with Bismarck.
After the baronne de Lareinty passed away around 1913, the family decided to sell Guermantes. In 1920, they sold the furniture and the château.
Later, Maurice and Blanche Hottinguer acquired it. During World War II, Blanche Hottinguer prevented the German occupants from burning the village and château in August 1944. She even offered herself as a hostage.
The château changed hands again in 2008. Today, it serves as a seminar center.
Take a moment to admire the Château de Guermantes. It dates back to the 17th century. Jules Hardouin-Mansart designed parts of it. The French Ministry of Culture recognizes both the château and its park as historical monuments.
Also, note the Église Saint-Christophe-et-Saint-Jacques. It was rebuilt in the 18th century based on plans by architect François Romain.
Guermantes is more than just a village. It is a place with layers of history. It is a place that inspired literature. It is a place that continues to evolve.