Collection

Marmont, empire et industrie

  • Maréchal Marmont, de Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin ; 19e siècle, Huile sur toile ; Dépôt du musée-château de Versailles

    Ce portrait est commandé par le roi Louis-Philippe lors de la création de la galerie des généraux au château de Versailles en 1837.

    Marmont, Marshal of the Empire

    Auguste-Frédéric-Louis Viesse de Marmont was born in Châtillon-sur-Seine on July 20, 1774. A nobleman by birth, he chose a military career early on after meeting Napoleon Bonaparte in Dijon. He later fought alongside him at the Siege of Toulon and took part in the Italian, Egyptian, and Spanish campaigns. Named Marshal of France in 1809, he became Duke of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik). Though a capable soldier, Marmont is best remembered for his skills as an administrator. As Governor of the Illyrian Provinces (in present-day Croatia), he modernized the region so effectively that his legacy is still remembered today—even in video games where he appears as a main character.

     

    Picture : Marshal Marmont, by Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin; 19th century, oil on canvas ; On loan from the Musée-Château de Versailles. This portrait was commissioned by King Louis-Philippe in 1837 for the creation of the Gallery of Generals at the Château de Versailles.

  • Marmont équestre © Julien Bourgeois

    Le maréchal, fier et sûr de sa posture, est paré de ses plus belles médailles et distinctions : Il arbore son écharpe rouge de Grand Aigle de la Légion d’Honneur. Sa main droite, elle, tend son bâton de Maréchal d’Empire. 

    Attribué à Jacques-Luc Barbier Walbonne, 19e siècle, Huile sur toile

    During the Restoration, Marmont focused on improving Châtillon-sur-Seine, which still reflects his urban projects. Exiled and ruined, he died in Venice in 1852. His body was returned to Châtillon and buried in the Saint-Vorles Cemetery. He donated his medals and honors to the town as a final tribute.

    Picture : The Marshal, proud and confident in his stance, is adorned with his finest medals and honors. He wears the red sash of Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor, while his right hand holds the Marshal’s baton of the Empire. Attributed to Jacques-Luc Barbier-Walbonne, 19th century, oil on canvas

  • Baton de Maréchal d'Empire, argent, tissu vert semé d'abeilles et d'aigles brodés en or, étui de maroquinnerie rouge, 1809

  • Il porte l’Ordre de Commandeur de la Couronne de Fer d’Autriche dès 1817 et devient Grand Croix de Saint-Louis en 1820 puis Chevalier de l’Ordre du Saint-Esprit

  • Missionné par Charles X pour le sacre de Nicolas 1er Tsar de Russie, il reçoit le grand collier de l’Ordre de Saint-André en 1826.

  • Vue d'une partie du vignoble de la Garenne, Charles de Lasteyrie, 19e siècle, Lithographie

    After the Napoleonic era, Marshal Marmont devoted time to managing his estates in the Châtillonnais region.

    Driven by scientific curiosity and a taste for innovation, he experimented in agriculture, winemaking, and industry. He introduced Merino sheep, improved breeding techniques, planted vineyards, and refined vinification methods.

     

    On his estate, he established various production units: a mill, brewery, vinegar works, tile factory, pottery, two-story sheepfold, sugar plant, and sawmill. His most innovative work was in metallurgy, modernizing his forge at Sainte-Colombe-sur-Seine.

    Picture on the left: View of a section of the Garenne vineyard, Charles de Lasteyrie, 19th century, Lithograph

    Picture on the right : Castle of the Duke of Ragusa, Eugène Nesle, 1853, Litograph

     

  • Château du duc de Raguse, Eugène Nesle, 1853, Lithographie

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