Eu Castle (Château d'Eu)
About Eu Castle (Château d'Eu)
The Château d'Eu is a magnificent Renaissance palace with a 90-meter red brick and stone facade, begun in 1578 by Henri de Lorraine and completed in 1661 by the Duchess of Montpensier. Now housing the Musée Louis-Philippe, this former summer residence of King Louis-Philippe I showcases over 140 portraits in the restored Guise Gallery, period furniture, and artifacts from the French royal family. The château holds unique historical significance as the site where Queen Victoria made her first visits to France in 1843 and 1845, and later became home to the exiled Brazilian Imperial Family. Visitors can explore beautifully restored rooms featuring exceptional parquet flooring, antique fireplaces, and works by renowned architects Fontaine and Viollet-le-Duc. A gilded Portuguese state carriage and Brazilian imperial artifacts highlight the fascinating French-Brazilian connection. The château is open seasonally from mid-March to early November, with the formal gardens and park accessible year-round. Free visitor guides are available in multiple languages including English, German, and Italian.
Interesting Facts
In 1902, a devastating fire destroyed nearly half of the château, including the famous Guise Gallery with its 140 historical portraits. The painstaking restoration of the gallery took over a decade, with art historians working to recreate the lost portraits from historical records and surviving descriptions.
Princess Isabel of Brazil, the woman who signed the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) in 1888 abolishing slavery in Brazil, spent her final years at Château d'Eu and died here in 1921. She had married Prince Gaston, Count of Eu, who was the grandson of King Louis-Philippe I, creating a unique dynastic link between the French and Brazilian royal families.
The château's construction spanned nearly a century because of the French Wars of Religion. Henri de Lorraine, Duke of Guise, began building in 1578, but after his assassination in 1588, construction halted for decades until 'La Grande Mademoiselle' - Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans - finally completed it in 1661 as one of the wealthiest women in Europe.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Museum Entry
RecommendedLocation & Practical Info
Address
Place Isabelle d'Orléans-Bragance, 76260 Eu, France
Website
https://www.chateau-eu.fr/Day Routes
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