The Chateau de Beaumesnil is an imposing chateau in the eastern part of the Eure department of Normandy.
Explore the Chateau de Beaumesnil
The Chateau de Beaumesnil we see today was built in the years before 1640 using a combination of red brick and white stone and incorporating a great deal of decoration in the facade. It is unusual in this region to see such a well preserved castle from the period of Louis XIII.
At the time the castle was built brick was quite a new invention and not considered very strong, so stone was usd for the corners and window surrounds of the castle to give extra strength, and brick was used elsewhere to save money.
The castle was built at the time when the renaissance style was being replaced by the baroque style, so you can see both of these styles in the facade and castle. It is surrounded by a moat and approached along a straight driveway, entered between statues of two lions and continuing through a large (rather bare) courtyard and up a flight of stairs to the front door, a very imposing approach!
To the right of the current castle you can see a vestige of the original castle that stood here in the 13th century: although this is quite large it is now completely covered in plants and weeds, so it is interesting to see but of limited historical interest. Underneath all the plants there is apparently the remains of one of the towers from this original castle.
Note that the single storey wings on both sides of Chateau de Beaumesnil were added in the 18th century, apparently for guests that were not important enough to stay in the main castle! These have been built to exacting standards and most visitors (including me) will not realise they are a newer addition without being told.
Before entering you will certainly want to admire the attention to detail in each door and window in the facade of this four storey castle with many columns, pilasters, frontons and insignias among the details in the stonework.
The principal highlight inside the castle is the impressive staircase - the escalier d'honneur, and the kitchen, salons and dining room and bedrooms are among the rooms furnished in period style. The castle also contains a museum dedicated to book-binding on the first floor, and frequent demonstrations of cooking caramel take place in the kitchen.
Behind the castle two staircases and a second bridge gives access to the extensive park that surrounds Chateau de Beaumesnil. As you would expect, close to the castle the small gardens are formal and in the French style. The garden continues with an extensive area of lawn and less formal gardens, then eventually become woodland.
Attractions nearby
About 25 kilometres north of Chateau de Beaumesnil, the village of Le Bec-Hellouin is one of the prettiest villages in Normandy.
See more castles in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Eure guide and the Normandy guide.
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The French version of this page is at Chateau de Beaumesnil (Francais)