Château du Grand Jardin

Joinville

A Renaissance pleasure pavilion nestled in remarkable gardens, far from the defensive pomp of the neighbouring castles.

Built between 1533 and 1546 by Claude de Lorraine, first Duke of Guise, the Château du Grand Jardin is a pleasure pavilion of the French Renaissance, designed for festivities and receptions rather than for defence. King François I stayed there in November 1546. When the senior branch of the Guise family died out, the estate passed to the Dukes of Orléans. The pavilion was listed as a monument historique (historic monument) in 1925 and its gardens in 1991; they hold the "Jardin remarquable" label and have housed a national collection of box since 2018.

Getting there : Pavilion listed as a monument historique (historic monument) in 1925; gardens listed in 1991 and holding the Jardin remarquable (remarkable garden) label; national box collection recognised in 2018; property of the Haute-Marne departmental council, open to the public

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound