Hôtel de Mézières , dit Château Goguel ou ancienne mairie

Overlooking the charming town of Eaubonne, the Hôtel de Mézières whispers tales of ambition and transformation. This elegant structure, also known as Château Goguel or the old town hall, stands as a testament to a bygone era. It began in the 18th century. Joseph-Florent Le Normand de Mézières, lord of Eaubonne, envisioned a grand redesign of his small town, barely populated with 200 souls. He commissioned the renowned architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux to bring his vision to life. Ledoux crafted a cubic building, a study in understated classicism, around 1789. Its rectangular form boasts two long facades. A shorter side features a three-eighths octagonal projection, creating a vestibule. A small, Louis XV-style porch graces the entrance. The garden facade has a flat, three-window projection topped by a pediment. Horizontal banding and bas-reliefs of garlands and cherubs adorn the exterior. Similar reliefs decorate the vestibule’s interior doors. Two main floors rise beneath a substantial cornice. The original roofline remains on the garden side. Unfortunately, later additions of large skylights and a heavy attic, necessitated by converting the attic into living space, have altered the other sides. Ironically, the lord of Mézières never resided in his grand creation, initially dubbed “le Bâtiment neuf” or “the New Building.” Throughout the 19th century, the surrounding 23-hectare park became a beloved local retreat. Eaubonne residents enjoyed leisurely boat rides on its ponds. In the early 20th century, the estate faced a critical turning point. The park, now named after former mayor Goguel, was sold and subdivided. Fortunately, Mayor Charles Marret intervened, securing the Hôtel de Mézières, the orangery, the dovecote, and other outbuildings for the town. This pivotal decision shaped the heart of Eaubonne as we know it today. The Hôtel de Mézières served as the town hall for much of the 20th century. It later housed the library. Now, it thrives as a popular exhibition space, a cultural hub born from a lord’s ambition and a mayor’s foresight.