
Built in 1636 by Gabriel de Barthélémy de Gramont, Baron de Lanta (1594-1652), lawyer at the Parliament of Toulouse, considerably enlarged by the Mas family around 1880, the Château de Montlaur testifies to the fabulous prosperity of the Languedoc wine growing when
Edouard Niermans (1859-1928), the famous architect of the Café Society, the forerunner of the Jet Set, acquired it in 1921.Above, detail of the "Jardin des Hespérides" monumental painting by Paul Gervais adorning the Empire room of the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo.
The richness of the work of Edouard Niermans and the eclecticism of his style linked to the requirements of his commissioners place this outstanding architect among the great organizers of the architectural pleasures of what was later called the "Belle Epoque". "With Niermans, the architecture of the 19th century became inspiring and smiled" wrote the historian Bruno Foucart.
Louise Marie-Héloïse Dewachter (1871-1963), sister of the post-impressionist painter Isidore Louis Dewachter (1872-1946) known as Louis Dewis, married the architect Edouard Niermans in 1895.
Portrait circa 1900 signed Paul Gervais.
For the architect, an unexpected adventure begins that will change the course of his life. Gradually handing over the reins of his architectural firm to his sons Jean and Édouard, both architects who would work under the name of the Niermans Brothers, the tireless builder became passionate about viticulture. He immersed himself in oenology treaties, built concrete vats, brought steel dumpers on jacks from Algeria, planted and modernized the vineyard. At the entrance of the property, the immense cellar guarded by two stone pillars surmounted by two barrels still testifies to the past importance of the estate.
Under the impulse of the new owner, the domain takes its breath back. But soon illness caught up with Edouard Niermans, who died on October 19, 1928 at the Château de Montlaur where he spent the last years of his life.
Today the Domaine de Montlaur is the property of Edouard Niermans' grandchildren.
Read: Edouard Niermans, architect of the Cafe Society, by Jean-François Pinchon, introduction by Bruno Foucart. 335 pages. Mardaga edition.
Edouard Niermans and his children
The villa des Eucalyptus in Nice.
Around 1910, on the routes du Midi