Experience a moment out of time
We love the guide’s stories about the castle’s former occupants.
Discover the local history
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In the footsteps of Reinette
Bonuses
Château de la Grange - Armoiries portailENTER A
ROYAL CASTLE
Just 3 km from the pedestrianised city centre of Thionville, we enter the castle’s grounds via the majestic driveway lined with magnificent lime trees. We are already starting to feel a little like Marie-Antoinette! We manage to keep a cool head and enter the old orangery, now the reception area. Tickets are purchased and we embark on our journey spanning three centuries via the garden at the rear.
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DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk along the moat, a relic of the medieval castle, you may be lucky enough to spot carp nearly one metre long.
Château de la Grange - Jardin des PrairialesChâteau de la Grange - Jardin des Prairiales|
STROLL
AROUND THE GARDENS
More than a hundred varieties of boxwood from all over the world grow here. You might think that an 18th century castle is bound to have a formal garden, but think again. La Grange has innovated with a contemporary creation. The modern greenhouse contrasts with the castle’s old stones. The Jardin des Prairiales is an ode to organised clutter: walk along the wide strip of closely-cut grass, or among the meadows which are partially wild and partially tended. Another option is the forest separating the estate from the main road, which acts as a great sound barrier.
BE ENTHRALLED
BY THE CASTLE
In front of us is the impressive residence built in 1715 on the ruins of a medieval castle. Our guide welcomes us with a big smile and starts telling us the history of La Grange and its inhabitants before inviting us to enter through the service door and make our way down to the medieval kitchen.
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QUIRKY
Here, we see the huge invalid’s chair, similar to the one in which Molière died during a performance of “Le Malade Imaginaire”.
Château de la Grange - Salon RougeChâteau de la Grange - Salon Rouge|
CASTLE LIFE
The tour continues two floors higher up with the Queen’s apartments. The rooms still have the original furniture, the dining room is spectacular and you can’t help but imagine yourself at a banquet, the library smells of wood smoke, and the spacious blue room has a painting of Louise-Reine de Fouquet, our famous Reinette.
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