Castle of Grignan

The castle of Grignan , whose origin goes back to the 12th century, is built on a rock piton dominating Grignan, which enables him to be visible by far. It was transformed into fortress as of the 13th century by the family of Adhémar.

Rebuilt at the 16th century, François Ier came to visit it in November 1533. It is at the 17th century, after the marriage the January 27th 1669 of François de Castellane-Adhémar de Monteil, lord of the place and Marguerite de Sévigné, that the castle became the appointment of a company of elite. In her living rooms, the countess of Grignan, surrounded prelates, writers and courtiers, appeared in “vice-reine of Provence” like called it certain authors. In addition to the immortal letters addressed to his/her daughter, the marchioness of Sévigné came to raise of all the glare of its spirit the sumptuous meetings whose echo was reflected to Paris. Grignan deserved the name well then that one gave him Versailles of the South .

Mrs. de Sévigné, from Paris, being separated from her daughter, it started her famous correspondence, and went to Grignan three times for long stays and died there.

All the luxurious festivals had ruined the Count de Grignan, and when he died the December 30th 1714, all the goods were sold.

A gentleman of Piedmontese origin the count Felix de Muy acquired the castle with his dependences. The nephew of the count Felix de Muy, the general count de Muy, having been declared emigrated, the district of Montélimar, by decree of the 11 nivôse year II (December 31st, 1793) ordered the demolition of the castle. During the first years which followed the destruction of the castle, vandalism made rage in the middle of its ruins.

Léopold Faure, acquired the castle the July 8th, 1838 and was put at work to save what it remained about it. After his death, the count Boniface de Castellane went purchaser from there the December 19th, 1902. The castle was finally rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century with identical thanks to the care of Marie Fontaine which bought it the November 2nd, 1912 and which put all its fortune to restore this building, high place of the regional history. Currently the castle is the property of the general advice of Drome.

The visit makes it possible to discover remarkable parts: tapestries of Aubusson, cabinets of pageantry, plan of Rome.

As of the first interior court one has in front of oneself, forming the Eastern angle of the restored frontage, called of François 1st, a tower slightly in relief: the tower Sévigné . It is on two floors and in pure Renaissance style original of the 16th century. The first stage was occupied by the study of Madam de Sévigné from where its name. The tower escaped vandalism and Léopold Faure immediately made it consolidate and repair.

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