Château de Pourtalès
In the north-east of La Robertsau, Strasbourg's old market-garden suburb, the Château de Pourtalès stands in a 24-hectare public park. Begun in the 18th century and remodelled in the late 19th by Countess Mélanie de Pourtalès, it welcomed Napoleon III, Liszt and Albert Schweitzer. Now a hotel, it is best enjoyed from its park, perfect for a green stroll.
From a royal contractor to bankers
Building began in the 18th century for Joseph Guérault, a royal contractor who also worked on Strasbourg's fortifications. Baron de Coehorn lived here from 1784, then the banker Athanase Paul Renouard de Bussierre bought the estate in 1802; his son Alfred reworked it from 1844. The house then passed to the Pourtalès family, whose name it still bears. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1984.
Mélanie de Pourtalès and her salon
Mélanie de Pourtalès (1836-1914), wife of the banker Edmond de Pourtalès-Gorgier, had the château extensively remodelled between 1887 and 1902. A figure of the imperial courts, she entertained a glittering circle here: Napoleon III, Prince Metternich, Franz Liszt, Ludwig II of Bavaria, Wilhelm II, Albert Schweitzer and the painter Léon Bakst. The château became a salon where diplomacy, music and the arts met, on the edge of a Strasbourg that had become German.
A 24-hectare park open to all
Parc de Pourtalès, owned by the City of Strasbourg, covers 24 hectares around the château and is open to the public. Wide lawns, groves and shady paths make it a favourite with families and joggers, far from the bustle of the centre. The paths give the best views of the château's façade. Come in spring or autumn, when the trees take on colour and the light falls softly on the stone.
La Robertsau, Strasbourg's countryside side
The château lies in the north-east of La Robertsau, a district that was long Strasbourg's market-garden suburb and remains residential and green. The château itself is private property occupied by a hotel, so it cannot be visited like a monument. Allow half a day to combine the park with a walk around the neighbourhood, away from the usual old-town circuits, or to carry on towards the natural areas on the city's north-eastern edge.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Château de Pourtalès?
In Parc de Pourtalès, in the north-east of the La Robertsau district of Strasbourg, quite a way from the historic centre: plan to come by public transport or bike.
Can you visit inside the château?
No, the château is private property housing a hotel. The surrounding park, however, belongs to the city and is free to wander.
Why is the château well known?
For the salon held here by Countess Mélanie de Pourtalès in the late 19th century, attended by Napoleon III, Liszt, Ludwig II of Bavaria and Wilhelm II, and for its 24-hectare park. It has been a listed historic monument since 1984.
How can I combine a visit with central Strasbourg?
Set aside half a day for La Robertsau and the park, ideal after a morning on the Grande Île. Heading back towards the centre, the European quarter and the Neustadt make good stops along the way.
Wikimedia Commons — © Ralph Hammann - Wikimedia Commons
