Nearly twenty castles, stately homes, fortresses and mansions, remnants from mediaeval times or part of a more recent heritage, are open to members of the public interested in atmospheres and architecture. Impressively situated (for the most part) in green and rolling landscapes, they accept visits ceremoniously or more simply, with or without guided tours:


Autigny la Tour

A 12th century castle. The fief was under the control of the brother of the Duke of Lorraine, Ferri III, and then belonged to the famous Le Châtelet family until the 16th century. Jean-Blaise de Mauléon then built a new mansion, of which the entrance portal and two angle towers are still standing. From 1711 onwards, the Counts de Kinigl and de Gondrecourt, successively reorganized the premises to become what they are today. During the Restoration period, the Duke of Clermont-Tonnerre spent his childhood here. During the First World War, the Duke of York, later to become King George VI of the United Kingdom, set up the staff headquarters of the Royal Air Force here. Website: www.chateau-autigny.com

Beaufremont
Beaufremont Castle (listed) – remains of a large fortified mediaeval castle (11th to 16th centuries).
Website: www.neufchateau-tourisme.com


Châtel-sur-Moselle
Fortress built in the 11th, 13th and 15th centuries. One of the biggest castles in Europe, built on a promontory overlooking the Moselle by the De Vaudémont and De Neufchâtel families.
Website: http://assoc.wanadoo.fr/chatel-medieval


Darney
18th century stately home – remains of old ramparts. Place A. Barbier.


Epinal
Epinal Castle (a listed Historic Monument). remains of a large castle and fortifications dating from the 13th to 17th centuries,
in wooded grounds that extend as far as the heart of the town. Website: www.ville-epinal.fr


Fontenoy-le-Château
Ruins of the Castle (built during the 11th to 16th centuries). A fortress which controlled the frontier between Burgundy and Franche Comté. It resisted for 6 centuries, but was wiped out during the 30-years war.


Frébecourt
Bourlémont Castle (13th to 18th centuries)
(listed).


Girecourt sur Durbion
Girecourt Castle, 16th century – A Historic Monument.


Isches
Harcourt castle, 17th century - rue du Château
(private property)


Monthureux sur Saône
Remains of the fortified castle and houses partially dug into the rock face.
Website: www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/monthureux-sur-saone.htm


Relanges
Lichecourt Castle in Lichecourt (listed)
The Anne de Gradmont stately home, 18th century


Remiremont
Guided tours of the historic sites in the centre of Remiremont (Saint-Pierre 13th century abbey church, clergy houses and abbot’s palace built in the 18th century),
Website: www.ot-remiremont.fr


Saint Baslemont
Mediaeval castle built in the 14th century by the Counts of Monthureux.


Sandaucourt
Stately home dating from the 16th and 17th centuries (listed),
Website: www.chateaux-France.com/sandaucourt/


Senones
Two stately homes which belonged to the Princes de Salm, dating from the 18th century, the time when the Principality of Salm existed/Salm – Guided tour of the historic buildings of the town centre, exploratory excursions (listed).
Website: www.paysdesabbayes.com


Les Thons
Feudal pigeon-loft dating from the 15th century.
Website: www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/monthureux-sur-saone.htm


Thuillières
Château Boffrand stately home - 18th century with a 14th century dovecot; built by the famous architect of the Duke of Lorraine on the ruins of a 14th century castle,
Website : http://www.chateaux-France.com/thuillieres/