Château de Cropières

Château de Cropières stands in Coronini, France, and was erected in the medieval period by local feudal lords as a fortress to defend the valley of the Goul.

The site first appears in the records in the 13th century, with Aymar de Cropières recorded as owner in 1263. The de Cropières family remains documented into the 14th century, with Pierre de Cropières mentioned in 1362. English troops attacked and destroyed the fortress in 1381, after which rebuilding took place.

Ownership then passed to the Montjou family from the 14th century until 1508. In 1508 the estate moved to the Fontanges family, who held it until 1616. The Scorailles family acquired the property in 1616 and retained it until 1746. During the Scorailles tenure the château saw major reconstruction and enlargement. Annet Joseph de Scorailles, marquis de Roussilhe, carried out extensive work between 1677 and 1720, and his son Louis Théodose de Scorailles carried out the principal building campaign around 1720 that produced the unified appearance of the house.

Marie-Angélique de Scorailles, later duchess of Fontanges, is recorded as having been born at Cropières in 1661. One account also reports the birthplace of Jean Rolland, later bishop of Amiens, as Cropières. In 1746 the Valady family became owners and kept the château until 1906. Revolutionary events led to partial abandonment; in 1793 the comte de Valady left Cropières and did not return. The Chefdebien family has owned the property since 1906.

The château, its outbuildings and gardens were placed under legal protection as a historic monument on 5 May 1986. After a long period of neglect the property entered a program of consolidation and repair in the early 21st century, driven by an association created to raise funds and stabilize the fabric. The house is not open to visitors.