Travel through 1000 years of history in the largest Renaissance palace in southeastern France, fully furnished and graced by the illustrious Marquise de Sévigné. From its terraces discover a breathtaking 360° panorama of Provence and its lavender fields, the Mont Ventoux and the village of Grignan, classified as a heritage site.
PLUNGE INTO THE DEPTHS OF HISTORY IN GRIGNAN CASTLE
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In the heart of the Drôme Provençale, built on a rocky outcrop, the “Château de Grignan” (Grignan Castle) overlooks the village. The building, which bore witness to Renaissance architecture and French Classicism, has had an eventful history.
The first mentions of the castle date back to the 11th century. It was then transformed into a prestigious leisure residence by the Adhemar family during the Renaissance.
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©ChâteaudelaDrôme
©ChâteaudelaDrôme
During the 17th century the Marquise de Sévigné lived there with her daughter Françoise-Marguerite, who became the Countess of Grignan through marriage. The Marquise’s letters to her daughter made her a famous letter writer and contributed greatly to the fame of the castle. It was
dismantled during the Revolution and rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century by Marie Fontaine. Since 1979, it belongs to the Drôme department, which is pursuing an ambitious programme of acquisitions and restorations. Classified as a historic monument in 1993 and labelled a “Musée de France” (museum of french history), Grignan castle offers visitors valuable evidence of the way of life in different eras.
Every summer the castle organises a theatrical event, the “Fêtes nocturnes” (night festivals), and offers a year-round cultural programme.
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©ChâteaudelaDrôme