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Château du Pailly
The Château du Pailly is in the commune of Le Pailly, about fifteen kilometres from Langres, in the Haute-Marne. It was built between 1563 and 1573 for Gaspard de Saulx-Tavannes, Marshal of France, by the Langres architect Nicolas Ribonnier. It replaced a lowland castle recorded from the 13th century, of which only the keep of a late 15th-century fortification survives.
Surrounded by moats, the building keeps a military look from outside. In the courtyard, Ionic and Corinthian orders punctuate the façades; these buildings and the grand staircase are among the most accomplished Renaissance works in Champagne.
Abandoned by the Saulx-Tavannes, sold in 1764, then confiscated and resold in 1799, it was restored from 1821. After several sales, it has belonged to the State since 1963 and has been listed as a historic monument since 1921. The park has an avenue of trained lime trees, rare trees and a French formal garden.
