The Grignan castle museum is located in the town of the same name, in Drôme, 25 km south-east of Montélimar.
It is housed in the castle built in the 11th century on a promontory overlooking the village, and remodeled into a sumptuous Renaissance style residence by the lords of Adhémar. Made famous by the Marquise de Sévigné who stayed there frequently with her daughter in the 17th century, it was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century after being dismantled during the Revolution. The castle and the museum are properties of the Department.
The collections present paintings, decorative works of art and pieces of furniture from the 16th to the 20th century, French and Italian, in settings (apartments and reception rooms occupying three levels) partly reconstituted thanks to the inventories drawn up during the successive sales.
The collection reflects the evolution of artistic styles and tastes of different owners over the centuries.
Among the rooms to highlight is the antechamber, in the center of the Renaissance wing, which served as both a waiting room and a reception area. We discover a decor of paneling from the 1820s with antique motifs and light and golden hues emblematic of the neoclassical period.
The Madame's Room, for its part, is located within the walls of the medieval dungeon with its thick walls. At the end of the 17th century, it became the bedroom of the new Countess of Grignan, Françoise-Marguerite de Sévigné, who furnished it with a fabric then fashionable in Parisian interiors. Built in the 13th century, the "grand'salle" was the main room of the seigniorial dwelling. Enlarged in the 15th century, then equipped with a monumental fireplace, it was then decorated with a portrait of Louis XV and became the "King's room". Refurbished in 1918, the room has a luxurious and eclectic decor, reflecting its prestige of yesteryear, and a neo-Renaissance fireplace.
Finally, the Galerie des Adhémar is emblematic of the French Renaissance, and is occasionally transformed into a reception room. It now hosts artistic and cultural events organized punctually.
The museum also includes interpretation spaces. Finally, the visit includes the exteriors. Self-guided tours (with brochure) or guided tours (with supplement), and entertainment for young people.
Open every day from March to the end of the All Saints holidays, and Tuesday to Sunday from mid-November to the end of February. Price: from 6 and 8 euros. Information on +33 4 75 91 83 50.
