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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Berné Castle, located in Saonnet in the Calvados department, is a building whose origins date back to the 17th century under Louis XIII, but whose current structure dates mainly from the second half of the 18th century. The castle was built for the Fayel de Berné family, then acquired in the 19th century by the Lebarbey family, whose son-in-law undertook changes in neo-Renaissance style around 1880, although these works were never completed. The castle is built of limestone, and its architecture reflects the transformations of the 19th century.

The dovecote of the castle, dated 1776, is a 9 metre-diameter cylindrical building with 1,200 bolts spread over 29 levels. It was commissioned by Claude Foellix Duffayel of Bern, as indicated by an inscription, to replace a former dovecote. This dovecote is remarkable for its earth construction technique, its coated with glass pieces, and its worrying state of conservation at the beginning of the 21st century. It has been listed as a historic monument since 14 December 2000, although it has suffered a long abandonment, losing its cover and bell.

The castle and its dovecote are located in the Marais du Cotentin and Bessin Regional Natural Park. The dovecote, a unique example in peas in Lower Normandy, bears witness to the architectural and agricultural practices of the modern era. Despite its degraded state, it remains a major heritage element, illustrating local history and traditional construction techniques.

In the 19th century, the castle was partially renovated in a neo-Renaissance style, reflecting the architectural tastes of the era. These modifications, although incomplete, marked the evolution of the castle, which was long abandoned before its dovecote was protected. Today, the site remains a testimony of Normandy's rural and seigneurial history, although its access and condition require special attention.

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