Château de Lunéville
The Palace of Lunéville (French: Château de Lunéville French pronunciation: [ʃɑto d(ə) lynevil]) is a residence of the Duke of Lorraine since the 13th century in Lunéville, about 35 kilometers east of Nancy, capital of Lorraine. The palace is owned by the Department Meurthe-et-Moselle since 2017. Many people visit the palace, park, or gardens of Lunéville every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
| Palace of Lunéville | |
|---|---|
Garden façade and fountains | |
Interactive fullscreen map | |
| General information | |
| Location | Lunéville, Lorraine |
| Coordinates | 48°35′41″N 6°29′32″E |
| Construction started | 1703 |
A simple hunting lodge existed on the site since the 13th century. Substantial changes came with Duke Leopold I of Lorraine who expanded the château into the beginnings of a palace that went through several changes and phases from 1703 to 1720. It was a favourite residence of the former Polish king Stanislaus I, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, who made further improvements.
After the Duchy of Lorraine passed under the rule of the French crown, the palace was handed over to the military who used it largely as a barrack. A number of buildings disappeared during that time.
The French Ministry of Culture has placed the palace, its gardens, and some of its subsidiary structures on its list of culturally significant monuments as a Monument historique.