Claire MatrasDuring the expansion and embellishment work on the castle at the end of the 17th centuryethe count François de Castellane Adhémar de Monteil had a vestibule built opening onto the new main courtyard, on the site of a place reserved for the "Lissive" (laundry room) and the old kitchen. It rivals the finest entrances of the private mansions of Aix-en-Provence.
On the mezzanine level is the pantry, a vestige of the medieval layout. This vaulted room is located between the kitchens, where a large staff is busy, and the areas where meals are served.
Loïc JULIENThis large hall of the Renaissance castle, located on the main floor, is situated at the heart of the south wing, which it serves as its access point. From the 17th century onwardse century, it opens onto the main facade and the courtyard of honor.
It serves as a shared anteroom for the two apartments located on either side, whose adjoining rooms follow an order of increasing privacy. From the anteroom, guests proceed to the bedroom and then the study, a private space. On one side (west) is the restored apartment of Marie FontaineOn the other side (east) unfolds the apartment that the Countess Françoise de Grignan the 17e.
Blaise AdilonUpon acquiring the castle in 1912, Marie Fontaine She had a project to raise the illustrious Adhémar residence from ruins. From 1912 to 1937, she undertook a colossal reconstruction and restoration project of the building, inspired by the splendor of the Grand Siècle and influenced by the tastes of her time.
She established her private apartments in a wing of the castle, comprising a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom (now gone). The bedroom exudes the bourgeois charm of a private country apartment, with subtle neoclassical touches. The striped, moiré-effect wallpaper was installed in the 1920s, according to the owner's taste. A cornice composed of a garland of undulating ivy encircles the ceiling of this room: the four corners are adorned with arrows, quivers, hunting horns, and other knots drawn from the neoclassical ornamental vocabulary.
Blaise ADILONEager to anchor her castle in the history of the Adhémar family and in the history of France, Marie Fontaine She decorated the ceilings of her reception rooms with paintings that evoked the great men of Grignan and the prestige of the kings. She named the salon "François I"er ", in memory of the King of France's visit to Grignan Castle in 1533. She had the ceiling adorned with the salamander, the emblem of the French Renaissance king, and the doors sculpted with the royal cipher. The cipher of the King of France also held the interest, for the Lady of Grignan, of being identical to the initial of her name: what a prestigious analogy!"
In this tower of the 13the century, featuring a French window and an elegant balcony from the 17th centurye century Marie Fontaine She appreciates his work bathed in a majestic landscape. She completes the interior decoration with ornaments that remind her of the Italy she loves, such as the eight-armed crown chandelier, which she commissioned from Luciano Zalaffi, a Sienese wrought iron craftsman.
Blaise AdilonOn the main floor, in the former medieval keep, this room is the heart of the apartment of the Countess Françoise de Grignan, daughter of the Marquise de Sévigné. Shortly after her arrival in Grignan, in November 1672 she commissioned a domestic inventory which described for her room: "a blue taffeta tapestry with black stripes, an angel bed with eight armchairs and four chairs of the same taffeta, the window curtains of the same taffeta".
This room evokes the taste of the 17th century.e century for "furniture". The same fabric was chosen to cover all the decor and furnishings of a room: the walls, the curtains, the doors, the bed, and the chairs. From one season to the next, the furnishings could vary, and the light fabrics of summer gave way to thicker fabrics for the harshness of winter.
The hostess receives a select group of guests. They take their places on chairs arranged around the bed, in a space known as "the alley." They converse, and each can shine with their wit.
On the main floor, in the former medieval keep, this room is the heart of the apartment of the Countess Françoise de Grignan, daughter of the Marquise de Sévigné. Shortly after her arrival in Grignan, in November 1672 she commissioned a domestic inventory which described for her room: "a blue taffeta tapestry with black stripes, an angel bed with eight armchairs and four chairs of the same taffeta, the window curtains of the same taffeta".
This room evokes the taste of the 17th century.e century for "furniture". The same fabric was chosen to cover all the decor and furnishings of a room: the walls, the curtains, the doors, the bed, and the chairs. From one season to the next, the furnishings could vary, and the light fabrics of summer gave way to thicker fabrics for the harshness of winter.
The hostess receives a select group of guests. They take their places on chairs arranged around the bed, in a space known as "the alley." They converse, and each can shine with their wit.
Loïc Julien_Châteaux de la DrômeThe former medieval "aula", or great hall of the 13the century, is the place of public life and the exercise of the seigniorial power of the Adhémar de Grignan. Louis Adhémar King Francis I was received thereer and the French court in 1533, returning from Marseille after the marriage of the Duke of Orléans, the future Henry II, and Catherine de Medici.
This is at Marie Fontaine The parquet flooring, "in the Versailles style," contributes to the regal and sumptuous atmosphere of the room. Two Roman consoles from the 1st century ADre half of 18e century, sculpted with a rich decorative repertoire, are surmounted by large mirrors flanked by sconces. The square piano from 1845 evokes the omnipresence of music at the castle since the 17th century.e century, where the Count François maintains a resident troupe of musicians.
Loïc JULIENThis room becomes on the 16the century the Tournon chamber, due to the marriage of Louis Adhémar de Monteil, baron then first count of Grignan, with Anne de Saint-Chamond, niece of Cardinal François de Tournon, advisor to King Francis Ier.
Located in the heart of the main facade of the well courtyard, it is sheltered from the variations of the climate. One can appreciate Louis's architectural work, the coolness of the room and the soft light of the setting sun.
The staircase, which originates at the base of a square tower topped with a cupola, was the main entrance to the castle during the Renaissance. It is part of the innovative architectural design that Left-handed Adhemar built between 1495 and 1515: the entrance opens onto a straight flight of stairs which distributes the public space of the great hall, the private apartments, the gallery and the chapel of the castle (now gone).
The grand staircase is covered by a ribbed vault, still showing Gothic influence at this turning point in the 16th century.e century. Close to the Jean de Louvre staircase at the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, it is adorned with antique motifs, candelabras and medallions.
Gaucher Adhémar de MonteilBaron de Grignan, married the wealthy heiress Diane de Montfort. In the service of King Louis XI, he initiated the transformation of the austere fortress of Grignan into a pleasure castle.
Loic JulienThe staircase, which originates at the base of a square tower topped with a cupola, was the main entrance to the castle during the Renaissance. It is part of the innovative architectural design that Left-handed Adhemar built between 1495 and 1515: the entrance opens onto a straight flight of stairs which distributes the public space of the great hall, the private apartments, the gallery and the chapel of the castle (now gone).
The grand staircase is covered by a ribbed vault, still showing Gothic influence at this turning point in the 16th century.e century. Close to the Jean de Louvre staircase at the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, it is adorned with antique motifs, candelabras and medallions.
Gaucher Adhémar de MonteilBaron de Grignan, married the wealthy heiress Diane de Montfort. In the service of King Louis XI, he initiated the transformation of the austere fortress of Grignan into a pleasure castle.
