Between Champagne and Lorraine, this 16th and 18th century château, a former medieval fortress transformed during the Renaissance and then refurbished in the Louis XV style, was the residence of the Duc Decrès, Napoleon I's Minister of the Navy.
From fortified house to medieval fortress
Situated on the line of defence against the Holy German Empire and nearby Lorraine, Rimaucourt was fortified as early as the 12th century, when "militia knights" were recorded as guarding the castle, which was then under the control of the Lord of Reynel.
In 1379, Jean de Noyers (husband of Jeanne de Joinville) paid tribute to Thibaut de Neufchateau, Count of Reynel, for the fortified town of Rimaucourt, with its fortress and priory.
During the Hundred Years' War, the fortress, occupied by the Burgundians, was taken by Robert de Baudricourt's men on the orders of René, Duke of Bar, in July 1425.
The double drawbridge gateway, the central main building with its ribbed vaults and the two square towers are remarkable remains of the fortress rebuilt around 1492.
Renaissance and Wars of Religion
Modified in the middle of the 16th century by Théode de Senailly, Gentleman of the Household to King Henry II, the castle, still surrounded by deep moats, was fitted on the village side with gunports in the square towers and turrets, while on the courtyard side, the Renaissance brought all its refinement.
The gatehouse and a small courtyard façade are typical of the second French Renaissance in the style of Ancy le Franc, with Italian-style "modular" architecture based on the harmony and symmetry of volumes and the use of antique orders (Ionic, Corinthian and Tuscan) heralding Classicism.
In 1616, the fiefdom of Rimaucourt was bought by Claude d'Anglure comte de Bourlemont marquis de Sy.
From the château of Louis XV to the residence of Napoleon I's minister
In 1756, Pierre Guillaume Tavernier de Boullonge, Marquis de Buzancy, Baron de Rimaucourt, treasurer of the Extraordinary War Office and secretary to King Louis XV, a wealthy financier who had made his fortune as a munitions supplier for the campaigns of Marshal de Saxe, added the right wing and the steward's house and completely refurbished the château in pure Louis XV style: wood panelling, stucco ceilings, marble fireplaces, grand staircase, etc.
His daughter Catherine, Talleyrand's mistress for almost 50 years, escaped the guillotine through the intermediary of Mme de Staël, Necker's daughter, and emigrated to Switzerland.
Duke Decrès, Minister of the Navy and the Colonies throughout the First Empire, acquired the château in 1809. He remained loyal to Napoleon until his fall. The emperor, who signed his marriage contract, also visited the château.
Duchess Decrès, sister-in-law of Marshal Suchet d'Albuféra and niece of the queens of Spain and Sweden, hosted many members of the Bonaparte family at Rimaucourt, not only for parties but also thanks to her literary salon, which was frequented by Princess Mathilde and Julie Bonaparte.
Napoleon III is said to have accompanied his cousin Princess Mathilde, whose bench can still be admired in the château grounds, and held council in the Grand Salon.
Louis Napolèon d'Albufera was the last Bonaparte to own the château, in 1887.
Château de Rimaucourt
