Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · Drôme, France

Château de Grignan

The great Renaissance palace of Provence's borders, riding its village like a ship — immortalised by Madame de Sévigné, whose incomparable letters flowed to her daughter, the Countess of Grignan, for a quarter of a century. She died here in 1696 and is buried in the collegiate church below the terrace.

At a glance

Built: 11th century; Renaissance rebuilding 16th c.
Style: Renaissance palace over a Provençal village
Commissioned by: Adhémar family
Signature feature: Vast south terrace over the lavender country of the Drôme provençale
Madame de Sévigné: Her letters to her daughter made Grignan a literary shrine; she died here in 1696
Rebirth: Dismantled after the Revolution; heroically rebuilt 1913–1931
Today: Property of the Département de la Drôme; summer festival of correspondence
Visiting: Open to visitors year-round