Harcourt castle - Normandy (France)
Robert II d'Harcourt, one of the companions of Richard Lionheart, probably built the first stone castle here, in the late 12th century. One hundred years later, the old keep was integrated to a larger, polygonal castle, and the defence of the castle continued to improve with a monumental fortified door.
In the 17th century, the old castle was partly demolished to make the apartments more comfortable and illuminated. Since these days, it has two faces : the old medieval one, with wide defensive walls and towers, and a more modern and classical one, maybe more welcoming but a bit dull.
The castle was almost abandoned when an old building lover, Louis Gervais Delamarre, bought it in 1802. He restored the place, created a beautiful arboretum in the park and gave it to the Académie Royale d'Agriculture.
The other side of the castle, with its beautiful well under the romanesque arch, and interiors.
In the park
♠ ♠ ♠
In the 17th century, the old castle was partly demolished to make the apartments more comfortable and illuminated. Since these days, it has two faces : the old medieval one, with wide defensive walls and towers, and a more modern and classical one, maybe more welcoming but a bit dull.
The castle was almost abandoned when an old building lover, Louis Gervais Delamarre, bought it in 1802. He restored the place, created a beautiful arboretum in the park and gave it to the Académie Royale d'Agriculture.
The other side of the castle, with its beautiful well under the romanesque arch, and interiors.
In the park
♠ ♠ ♠