Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château des Beauvau-Craon, known as Château d'Haroué, was built between 1720 and 1729 by the architect Germain Boffrand for Marc de Beauvau-Craon, connetable of Lorraine and then viceroy of Tuscany. This 18th century castle, located in a valley of the commune of Haroué (Meurthe-et-Moselle), includes the four towers and moats of an ancient medieval castle belonging to the Marquis François de Bassompierre (born in 1579). The building thus combines 16th century defensive heritage and baroque elegance, with decorations signed by renowned Lorrain artists.

The interior and exterior decoration was entrusted to master craftsmen: Jean Lamour realized the gates, balconies and ramps of wrought iron stairs, while Barthélemy Guibal, sculptor of the fountains of Stanislas Square in Nancy, decorated the castle with statues. Pillement contributed to the paintings of one of the towers. The French-style park, later designed by Emilio Terry and the landscapers Duchêne, completes this set classified Historic Monument since 1983. The site, including the Madon Valley, has been protected since 1990.

Part of the furniture, dating from the Restoration (1820-1825), comes from the collection of Zoé Talon, Countess of Cayla and mistress of Louis XVIII. These pieces, including furniture attributed to Pierre-Antoine Bellangé and chandeliers by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, were passed on to the Beauvau-Craon family by the marriage of Ugoline Talon with a prince of Beauvau-Craon in 1825. The castle, still inhabited by the descendants of the family, opened to the public in 2021 thanks to a convention with the National Monuments Centre.

Protected elements include facades, roofs, moats, carved groups, and the large staircase with its wrought iron ramp. Several interior rooms, such as the golden lounges and the bedroom, are classified for their original decor. The castle thus illustrates the architectural evolution of Lorraine, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, while maintaining a living connection with its family history.

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