Ancien domaine royal de Randan

English translation

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History

Castellany known since the 12th century. Castle rebuilt under the reign of François Ier. In 1661, the estate is erected into a dukedom. In 1821, Adélaïde d'Orléans, sister of King Louis-Philippe, acquires the dukedom and undertakes its rehabilitation: enlarging and restoring the castle, constructing numerous outbuildings and creating a park. After her death and the fall of the monarchy, Randan experiences many vicissitudes. At the beginning of the 20th century, the estate comes to life again thanks to the Comtesse de Paris, granddaughter of Louis-Philippe. During the First World War, the castle is transformed into a hospital. In 1925, the fire of the castle marks the decline of the royal estate. Between 1821 and 1825, works executed by Fontaine, official architect of the first half of the 19th century. The north façade of the castle is formed of a main dwelling flanked by two hexagonal turrets and two pavilions in corner return. The building is constructed in polychrome brick and was covered with high slate roofs. The kitchen building was constructed from 1828 in the extension of the castle; it has eight vaulted rooms and was covered with a vast terrace. The chapel, in neo-classical style, was completed in 1831; it preserves the entirety of its interior decoration (parquetry, stained glass, stucco, trompe-l'oeil...). The inspector's house, the great service building and the orangery constitute the principal outbuildings; the great service building is a structure constructed on an H-plan, and comprised the principal services linked to the functioning of the estate: cattle shed, dairy, stable, saddle room, workshops... The park, one of the most important of the first half of the 19th century, was created by Fontaine, who drew inspiration from Italian, French and English traditions: regular gardens around the castle, then vast landscaped spaces embellished with water features and ornamental buildings.