Haute-Saône
Haute-Saône (; Arpitan: ''Hiôta-Sona''; English: Upper Saône) is a department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of northeastern France. Named after the river Saône, it had a population of 235,313 in 2019.department in the
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...
of
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (; , sometimes abbreviated BFC; Arpitan: ''Borgogne-Franche-Comtât'') is a region in Eastern France created by the 2014 territorial reform of French regions, from a merger of Burgundy and Franche-Comté. The new region ...
in eastern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
.
City
The city, or commune of Villersexel is located within the Haute-Saône department, located within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. As noted, the current population is less than 2,000 residents. The city center includes several restaurants, a school, a church and the Château de Villersexel.
Battle of Villersexel
In 1871, a battle occurred within the area of Villersexel, with the chateau changing hands between the French and Prussians. For more information see the wiki page on the Battle of Villersexel
Image:Bataille de Villersexel - 07.jpg, View of destruction to the village
Image:Bataille de Villersexel - 05.jpg, Artillery placements at the ruins of the Château
Image:Bataille de Villersexel - 06.jpg, view of destruction to the lower portion of the village
Chateau
The Château de Villersexel is located within the heart of the commune of Villersexel. The current chateau was built over a short period of time circa 1871 in the architectural style of Louis XIII. Originally, the chateau was known as the Chateau des Grammont.
History of Chateau
The current chateau was built in only a few years. Two previous chateau's have stood on the current site. Both previous chateau's were largely destroyed by fire. The fire which destroyed the second chateau occurred during the Battle of Villersexel. Remnants of the second chateau remain on the grounds. The second chateau was reportedly larger than the current chateau. Reportedly, both of the earlier chateau's were largely constructed of wooden timbers, as was common for many chateaus constructed during the 17th and 18th century.
After the second chateau was destroyed by fire, the baron was looking for a new architect who could design and build a structure that was more resistant to fire. At the time, the budding architect
Gustave Eiffel
Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (born Bonickhausen dit Eiffel; ; ; 15 December 1832 – 27 December 1923) was a French civil engineer. A graduate of École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, he made his name with various bridges for the French railway ...
was experimenting with Iron as a structural material. The officially listed architects of the current structure are Eiffel and Garnier.:fr:Château des Grammont The Chateau is registered as a historic building in France. The Château de Villersexel is entirely furnished in the style of that period.
Currently, the Château de Villersexel is privately owned, and serves several purposes. It is a private residence for the owners and their family and houses a small museum. Additionally, the Chateau serves as a destination for weddings, receptions, and other large events. This Chateau offers a venue for events, including weddings, shows and receptions. Rooms can accommodate up to 100 people, and the chateau can house up to 100 people overnight.
The Chateau is reported to have housed many famous guests and residents, including Lafayette, who is reported to have lived in this Chateau, with stays by Charles De Gaulle and Winston Churchill.
The Chateau receives constant upkeep and renovations, with the bedrooms reflecting history with names such as : Empire, Honneur, Rotonde and Montebello.
Communes of the Haute-Saône department
The following is a list of the 539 communes in the French department of Haute-Saône.
The communes cooperate in the following intercommunalities (as of 2020):Gustave Eiffel
Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (born Bonickhausen dit Eiffel; ; ; 15 December 1832 – 27 December 1923) was a French civil engineer. A graduate of École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, he made his name with various bridges for the French railway ...