インシュヴィルの洞窟・トップ6

Like not stopping in front of this magnificent castle

This former royal residence hosted the kings and queens of France and England. It was built in the 16th century by Henri de Lorraine, third Duke of Guise, and renovated in the 17th century by Grande Mademoiselle, cousin of Louis XIV. It became the property of Louis-Philippe, last king of France, who hosted Queen Victoria there twice. You can run around the castle from the station, and visit the museum there.

This former royal residence has hosted the kings and queens of France and England. It was built in the 16th century by Henri de Lorraine, third Duke of Guise, and renovated in the 17th century by the Grande Mademoiselle, cousin of Louis XIV. It became the property of Louis-Philippe, the last king of France, who twice hosted Queen Victoria there. You can walk around the castle from the station, and visit the museum there.

The castle offers a beautiful view of the 15 ha park, which is planted with beeches, including one from 1585, the Guisard*, which is protected as a 'special tree'. Visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet of the French-style gardens, the 19th-century rose garden, the rhododendrons, azaleas and conifers planted under Louis-Philippe and the Count of Paris. Also: old ice cellars, water features, terraces and tree-lined avenues.

Eu residents lament that their town is really only known to crossword enthusiasts, who are familiar with the question of "a village in the valley of the Bresle with two letters." After all, Eu has a rich past, in which William the Conqueror married his cousin Mathilde of Flanders in 1050, and where more recently, at the end of the 19th century, King Louis-Philippe set up his summer residence here.

Nothing remains of the castle where William the Conqueror and Mathilde of Flanders married in 1050. Louis XI had it demolished in 1475. The current castle was built in 1578 by Henri de Guise and Catharina van Kleef and has been restored several times. It came into the possession of the Orléans family and became one of the favorite cuttings of Louis-Philippe, who received Queen Victoria twice. From 1874 to 1879, Violet-le-Duc was charged with the refurbishment by the Count of Paris, grandson of the King. He modernized the castle and installed gas lamps and central heating. Since 1964, the castle has been owned by the city of Eu. It houses the town hall and the Musée Louis-Philippe and has been listed as a protected monument since 1985.

The 18th-century castle is attached to two towers of an earlier 13th-century castle. More recently it gradually fell into disrepair until 2020 when it found new owners who have been committed to the restoration ever since. Many volunteers also help with this. During our visit we were lucky enough to meet two of them who showed us around the castle and the vegetable garden where very sustainable gardening can be admired. More information can be found on the castle's website https://chateaudebouillancourt.com/

The castle from the 19th century has a beautiful, well-kept garden and the old outbuildings have been converted into apartments, some of which are used as holiday homes. More information on the castle's website https://www.chateaudharcelaines.com/