Château Smith-Champion, 17th century castle in Nogent-sur-Marne, France.
Château Smith-Champion is a residence built in the 1600s that blends Renaissance and classical design, with its facade decorated with military trophies and carved reliefs. The estate now operates as a residential center for visual artists, providing studios and workspace for around 80 residents.
Generals serving under Louis XIV modified the building in the 1600s and added military decorative elements to its design. The property retained these features until the mid-20th century, when it was converted into a space for artists.
The house became known after two sisters, one a painter and one a photographer, gave it to the French State to serve as a residential space for artists. Today visitors can see how this transformation shaped the property into a working creative community.
The grounds function as an active artists' residence with studios, practice rooms, and shared spaces for residents to work. Keep in mind that this is a private creative community, so visiting hours and access may be limited compared to typical tourist sites.
The grounds include a large park that was transformed from a formal French garden into an English-style landscape, though traces of the original design still show through. This blend of garden styles offers visitors insight into how garden tastes evolved over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
