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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Leonardsau Castle is a historic monument located in Obernai, Lower Rhine, in the Grand East region. Acquired in 1896 by Baron Albert-Louis-Eugène de Dietrich (1861-1957), it was built in stages: the central villa between 1899 and 1900, the west wing from 1909 to 1910, and the east wing in 1921. The ensemble, inspired by the Renaissance, incorporates elements of employment and an eclectic interior decor, including an Art Nouveau show painted by Charles Spindler in 1902. The architect Louis Feine also contributed to its development.

The nine-hectare park, designed by Belgian landscaper Jules Buyssens in collaboration with the Baron, combines English, French, Italian and Japanese styles. Edouard André was also involved in his development. The estate, once home to linen bleaching activities, was acquired by the city of Obernai in 1970 after belonging to General Gruss, former military governor of Strasbourg. The castle and its park have been listed as historical monuments since 1986 and 1990, respectively.

The castle was used as a setting in 1971 for Claude Chabrol's film La Décade prodigiouse, with Orson Welles and Marlène Jobert. After restoration work carried out between 2023 and 2025, co-financed by the City of Obernai, DRAC, the Greater East Region and other partners, the estate will reopen to the public on 1 November 2025. The project includes the restoration of the castle and the enhancement of its gardens, thus preserving this emblematic Alsatian heritage.

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