Custines harbour master's office - maison des lombards

In the 14th century, on the site of the house restored by the Société Lorraine d'Habitat, there was an Italian bankers' counter known as the "Maison des Lombards". Similar counters, essential to the region's economic development, existed in many neighboring towns, such as Amance, and even more so in larger centers such as Pont à Mousson. In the 15th century, the original edifice was replaced by a fortified house "with a moat all around, in which there is a large toue quarrée, bassecour, coulombier and estables in the vicinity, and close to it a garden of fruit trees...".


In 1590, the Duke of Lorraine gave this fortified house to Sieur de Contrisson, a Condé vow. It then passed by marriage to the de Nettancourt family, one of whose members married the daughter of another local officer, a gruyer and captain of Condé, hence the name Capitainerie given to the house at the time.


At the beginning of the 18th century, the dame de Nettancourt transformed the old house into a pleasant and comfortable country residence, with wood panelling and fireplaces, for her daughter who had just married the comte de Custine, who soon gave his name to the village. Thus Condé became Custine.

Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the "château" was divided up between numerous owners. By 1830, there were seven, not counting the two who owned the "two front towers". This excessive subdivision led to the deterioration of the site and the gradual disappearance of a good half of the enclosure. (SLH text)



The rehabilitation of the building was entrusted to SLH, and in November 2009, the MAISON des LOMBARDS was deservedly awarded the Heritage Ribbon.