Château de Brienne-le-Château, Brienne-le-Château, France

A first motte-and-bailey castle was besieged by Louis IV of France in 951. The Counts of Brienne are mentioned from 950 until 1356. A castle chapel, dedicated to the Holy Cross, is mentioned in 1166.

Abbot Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne became bishop, then archbishop, cardinal, and in 1787, a minister of state under King Louis XVI. His brother, Louis Marie Athanase de Loménie de Brienne, served as Secretary of War in 1787 and 1788 under the same king. This position prompted them to renovate their Brienne estate.

Both commissioned the reconstruction of the Château de Brienne, which began in 1770 and was completed in 1778, with the landscaping continuing for several years to create the exceptional view still admired today.

At the end of January and early February 1814, the area around Brienne was the scene of the Battle of La Rothière, during which Napoleon I directed operations from the Château de Brienne, where he spent two nights. According to Cassaigne, Napoleon nearly surprised the Prussian general Blücher at the castle through underground tunnels. In the ensuing assault, all the windows of the building were shattered.

After being sold and left uninhabited, the castle endured occupation during World War II, followed by abandonment until the early 1950s. The Brienne estate was converted in 1959 into a psychiatric hospital, now known as the Aube Public Mental Health Facility (EPSMA).

The site is not accessible to the visit excepting during the summer visits that could be origanized.

User Reviews

Igor Tуря (12 months ago)
Unfortunately, we were not able to see the castle; it is closed for reconstruction; the date when it will be completed is not specified. I really wanted to visit this castle. I hope that the reconstruction will be completed soon and it will be open. And so here, in principle, there is not even anything to see, except for the Napoleon Museum, which, by the way, was also closed; I did not have time before closing. It’s not worth coming here specifically just for the museum. In the evening I did not find a single restaurant open. With the closing of the castle, everything here froze...

Mathis GD (2 years ago)
Very disappointed, Very simple “gardens”, just a lawn, no ponds, no fountains, no statues.. Castle cannot be visited (empty), well it’s sad to spoil a place like that… Be careful, the entrance is not located at the large gate indicated on Maps.. you have to go through the Place des Halles

Marloes de Koning (4 years ago)
The castle is impressive and was beautiful in the past, but it is not well maintained. A bit of faded glory. We didn't go inside (nor could we). I thought the garden was okay, but not very special. I would not recommend visiting the castle and garden. We found the entrance difficult to find. The entrance is not via the large white gate - it is closed - but you have to drive into the village a bit from the large gate and then you will see another white gate on your right.

Maryline Plique (6 years ago)
Interesting visit, first retracing the history of the castle by going around it from the outside, then moving inside. Passionate guide.

vincent doblin (7 years ago)
This location is now a psychiatric hospital. Administration offices are in the main castle but cannot be visited. Cars must park outside and there is quite a uphill walk to get up there

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Château de Brienne-le-Château

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