Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Cisai, located in Orne in Normandy, finds its origins in the 12th century as a fortress. Odon Borleng, governor of Gacé, then used it to store the spoil of his looting. Richard de l'Aigle empara and transformed it into a castle with moat and defensive towers at the corners. This first medieval building marked the beginning of a military and seigneurial occupation of the site.

At the end of the 15th century, Guillaume Erard, anoublied by François I, rebuilt the castle according to a square plan in Renaissance style, integrating two towers. This change reflects the evolution of defence needs to a more residential habitat, characteristic of the period. Only the northeast wing of this construction remains today, bearing witness to this architectural transition.

In the 16th century, the castle was doubled westward, with the addition of two round towers with mâchicoulis, probably built at that time. These modifications strengthened its defensive aspect while adapting to the aesthetic cannons of the Renaissance. During the Second World War, an explosion damaged the large room on the ground floor, leaving intact a 17th century painted decoration on a beam.

Since 1991, key elements of the castle — including the northeast tower, the southeast tower and moat — have been listed as historical monuments. These protections highlight the heritage value of a building that has traversed eight centuries of history, from medieval conflicts to modern occupations.

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