Castle Tour

Craon Castle – Cultural Visits

Description :

A visit to the Château de Craon begins with the discovery of the grand vestibule and the grand dining room , two reception rooms extensively remodeled at the beginning of the 20th century when the last members of the Champagné family settled in Craon. The grand vestibule , originally composed of three separate rooms—an entrance hall, a billiard room, and a more modest staircase—was redesigned by Italian craftsmen to incorporate refined stucco work and a grand staircase . The wrought-iron railing , crafted by a Parisian workshop assisted by a local artisan, bears the initials of the Marquis de Champagné and his wife , Hélène de Langle , in gilt, attesting to the room's decoration around 1900.

The grand dining room , also furnished in 1900, is a sumptuous reception room that can accommodate around fifty guests. Its faux marble paintings are exquisitely detailed and deceive even the most discerning eye. Two prominent figures adorn this room: Marshal Turenne and Marshal Jean Baptiste Budes de Guébriant , ancestors of the current owners. Marshal de Guébriant, who led the army in Germany under Louis XIII, died heroically in 1643 after being seriously wounded during the siege of Rottweiler.

The tour continues in the blue drawing room , where one can admire exceptional woodwork . The interlacing ribbons and bouquets of flowers, carved from a single piece of wood with a chisel, demonstrate a rare finesse. These original sculptures add an incomparable artistic touch to this space. The blue drawing room is also adorned with a fireplace and mirrors that visually enlarge the room. Before the large windows, the view of the formal French garden invites one to compare Craon to a miniature Versailles.

The Champagné Salon offers a contrast, being a darker room where Marquis Alain de Champagné , the last of his line, is honored. Formerly the family's smoking room , this salon evokes the Marquis's courage, who enlisted in 1914 as a private to defend his country. Severely wounded, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre and recognized for his bravery under fire. A passionate hunter, he managed a hunting club and established a vast agricultural estate around Craon, which still contributes to the upkeep of the château today.

The furniture from the Champagné salon, which belonged to Louis XVI , was acquired by the D'Armaillé family after being confiscated by the revolutionaries. This furniture was returned to the château when it was returned to the family.

Prices and opening hours:

Guided tours of the castle are available by appointment for groups of at least 15 people, from April 1st to November 1st . They take place every afternoon in July and August, except Saturdays : at 2:30 pm, 4 pm and 5:30 pm .