Duchy of Lorraine facts for kids
The Duchy of Lorraine was a country that was next to France but not part of it. It was also a state within a larger group of countries called the Holy Roman Empire.
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The Duchy of Lorraine later became the property of a king who had lost his throne in Poland. It stopped being a separate country in 1766. The members of the ruling family often married into important French families, including the royal family.
The capital city of the duchy was Nancy. However, Duke Leopold I of Lorraine later moved the capital to the town of Lunéville. This town was a popular holiday spot in the 1700s.
The grand Château de Lunéville was built in 1702 for Duke Leopold. It replaced an older palace. This château was the home of the Duke of Lorraine until France took over the duchy in 1766. The château was designed to look a lot like the famous Palace of Versailles. This was to make Leopold's wife, Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans, happy. She was the niece of King Louis XIV of France. Because of its design, the Château de Lunéville became known as the "Versailles of Lorraine." It even had a special chapel designed by Germain Boffrand.
Leopold and his wife had children, including Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. Through Francis I, they were the grandparents of Marie Antoinette, who later became Queen of France.
Famous Buildings in Lorraine
Lorraine has several important historical buildings:
- Château de Lunéville: This was a former home for the dukes.
- Ducal Palace of Nancy: Another important palace in the capital city.
- The Place Stanislas: A large public square in Nancy. An ex-king of Poland built it.
- Château de Commercy: A château used by the last duchess of Lorraine.
Besides the ducal family, the Beauvau family was also very important in Lorraine. They had a lot of influence with the rulers of the duchy. This was because they had close personal connections. The leaders of the Beauvau family were often called the Prince of Craon.
Images for kids
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Portrait of the last Duke of Lorraine Francis Stephen on a silver coin. He inherited the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
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The coat of arms of the Duchy of Lorraine around 1703.
See also
In Spanish: Ducado de Lorena para niños
