LUNÉVILLE CASTLE

Don't miss the Château de Lunéville when you visit the region. Situated in the heart of the town and listed as a historic monument, it remains one of the finest architectural and landscape ensembles of the ^18th century. Originally a fortress, it became a château in the early ^17th century under the impetus of Henri II. After his death, however, the building fell into disrepair, and it was not until the arrival of Leopold ^I in 1707 that the château became the new residence of the Dukes of Lorraine. Moving away from his capital, Nancy, he settled with his entire court and family in Lunéville, and commissioned the architect Germain Boffrand (a pupil of Mansart) to build a sumptuous residence, loosely inspired by Louis XIV's château at Versailles. Surrounded by an elegant French garden designed by Yves des Hours, Lunéville soon earned the nickname of "Lorraine's little Versailles". The Bosquets garden and park, the green lung of the site, form a 21-hectare jewel case of greenery. In 1737, Leopold ^I made way for his successor, Stanislas Leszczynski, King of Poland and now Duke of Lorraine. Rich in a culture open to the world and nourished by European exchanges, this prince of the Enlightenment was able to materialize his aesthetic, philosophical and political aspirations in Lunéville, thanks to original landscaping that has now disappeared: the "follies". Emmanuel Héré did a great deal of work in this area, inspired by Stanislas' wishes. Other illustrious visitors to the château included Voltaire and his companion Émilie du Châtelet. When Stanislas died in 1766, the duchies of Lorraine and Bar became part of France, and the château became a barracks, losing many of its furnishings and fine objects, which were then sold. In early 2003, the Château de Lunéville was engulfed in flames, which destroyed the entire south wing housing the military library and the ducal apartments. Five months later, reconstruction work once again made part of the château accessible to the public. Today, it is once again open to the public, and its rich history can be discovered through the virtual museum. But it also offers a wide range of cultural events throughout the year: water theater, Nuit des Jardins de Lumière, equestrian events, classical and baroque concerts and temporary exhibitions. A château that preserves the memory of the past while looking resolutely to the future. Throughout the year, the château offers a wide range of events. This program is available on the château's website.