Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel – Then and Now

In Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, somewhat hidden on Rue Raymond Poincaré, lies an upscale inn. It is the 19th-century Château La Renommiere, which belongs to the Gîtes de France chain.

During the war, the estate served various units as quarters. On January 29, 1915, Bavarian King Ludwig III stayed on the grounds of the château. The stay was part of a multi-day tour through the St. Mihiel salient, which, starting from Metz, also led him to St. Benoît, Hattonchâtel, Chambley, Bussières, and Gorze. There are many photographs from this trip, including of the grounds of Château La Renommière in Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel.

Vigneulles, Chateau La Renommière
Vigneulles, Chateau La Renommière
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, July 1915, Chateau La Renommière, front courtyard
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, Château La Renommière, front courtyard, King Ludwig III of Bavaria in the center
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, Château La Renommière, front courtyard, King Ludwig III of Bavaria in the center
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, July 1915, Chateau La Renommière, front courtyard
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, Chateau La Renommière, garden side, photo from http://www.larenommiere.com/
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, January 29, 1915, garden side of Château La Renommière, King Ludwig III of Bavaria among his officers
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, early May 1915, French prisoners from the fighting in the Bois d’Ailly at the church portal, in the foreground: General der Infanterie Eugen Ritter von Benzino
Vigneulles-les-Hattonchâtel, church portal, July 2015