Château

English translation

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History

The château was rebuilt in 1743 by Augustin-François de Malherbe, on plans by Jean François Blondel. It is a building very representative of the residences raised in Bessin and the plain of Caen. Although the château suffered war damage, the interior has retained its period woodwork decoration with painted overmantels, parquetry and alcoves. The vast park is very characteristic of the period, with radiating avenues forming star-shaped crossroads. The great avenue leads to an oval-shaped forecourt whose design was altered in the early 19th century by the road crossing it. This forecourt is bordered by moats which give access to the rectangular main courtyard. The perspective crosses the château through the vestibule and reception hall, then develops to the south with the main axis composed of a large rectangular parterre and a water feature. It then runs along the avenue of the perspective known as the "avenue of the poet Malherbe" to end in the clearing where stood the statue of the poet, now vanished. A great side avenue opens a secondary perspective to the west. The obelisk, built in 1785, is the work of André Le Play.