An auto racing enthusiast, Antoine Menier set a number of records driving Alfa Romeo vehicles in hillclimbing events.
In 1933 Antoine Menier became the mayor of Lognes, a town about two miles (3.2 km) south of the family's factories in Noisiel.
On Antoine's death his estate became the subject of a court battle and ultimately the château was acquired by his widowed sister-in-law, Odette.
In spite of the difficult times of World War II, in 1950 Menier Chocolate was still the industry leader in France.
However, Antoine Menier was ill-equipped to run the company and his brother Hubert lacked the leadership skills to overcome the growing number of problems in what had become an intensely competitive market.