Musée départemental des Arts & Traditions Populaires - Champlitte Park and Castle - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Château Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions|Destination 70

The castle From Champlitte

In the heart of the town of Champlitte stands the magnificent 18th-century château, a veritable time machine. Its elegant Renaissance façade is flanked by two neo-classical wings. Listed as a Historic Monument, this architectural treasure now houses a museum dedicated to 19th-century rural life.

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The story Rich and eventful

The presence of a fortified castle can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In 1565, François de Vergy, then Lord of Champlitte, decided to add a Renaissance wing to the existing castle. Flemish and Italian influences left their mark on the decoration of this façade.

Unfortunately, the château was destroyed by fire in 1751; only its Renaissance façade was spared. Reconstruction, entrusted to the Comtois architect Colombot, began in 1765 under the aegis of Jean François de Toulongeon, with the rebuilding of the south wing. Work continued until 1782 under the architect Bertrand, giving rise to the building we admire today.

In 1804, the château was enhanced by an exceptional interior design: panoramic wallpapers entitled “The Savages of the Pacific Sea” adorned the walls of the oval drawing room on the ground floor, still offering visitors a breathtaking view today.

Another original feature of the château is the summer salon, nicknamed “the grotto”, which is accessed by a spiral staircase. The entrance to this unusual room was designed by sculptor Luc Breton, and features faux rocks and two columns, creating a unique atmosphere.

A living museum On local history

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Toulongeon family sold the castle to the Champlitte municipality. The municipality turned it into an administrative and educational centre, successively establishing the town hall, a school and later a college. The building’s historical and architectural importance was officially recognised in 1909, when it was listed as a historic monument.

Since 1957, Champlitte castle has housed a museum dedicated to the heritage of Haute-Saône. The Musée départemental des Arts et Traditions Populaires became a departmental museum in 1963, offering visitors a total immersion in local history and culture.

Visit the museum

Red Room in the Musée départemental des Arts et des Traditions Populaire at Château de Champlitte - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©Champlitte Castle Museum|BothBetter

The gardens French style

In 2008, formal gardens were laid out in the château’s main courtyard, adding a touch of refinement to the setting.

Eighteenth-century plans were used as models, and furniture was recreated, including Louis XVI-style benches and cast-iron vases in tribute to local foundries. The parterres, lined with boxwood, are embellished with trellised lime trees to provide shade.

These carefully tended green spaces are an invitation to stroll and contemplate.