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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hamerhouck Castle, built in the 2nd quarter of the 19th century (1840), is a large house without a marked architectural style, located in Cassel (Hauts-de-France). Its construction, as well as the development of its vast 11-hectare park, was initiated by Edouard Bosquillon de Jenlis, chief engineer at Dunkirk Harbour. The ensemble incorporates utilitarian and decorative elements: commons, farms, a tannery, a gardener's house, two vegetable gardens, and two chapels (including one of neo-Gothic style). The park, structured in various spaces (water room, meadow, tree bouquets), extends across the Oxelaere road, with a more wild part including a pond and islands.

The domain reflects the influence of its sponsor, Edouard Bosquillon de Jenlis, whose engineering profession is reflected in the rational organization of spaces. The adjoining buildings (farms, tannery) suggest economic autonomy, while the chapels and landscaped park illustrate the romantic and eclectic tastes of the era. The whole, including the castle and its outbuildings, was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by decree of 8 July 1992, recognizing its heritage value despite its modest architectural character.

The property, now private (owned by a company), retains all its original elements: the two farms, the tannery, the gardener's house, and the chapels (dedicated to Oxelaere and the Bosquillon family). The precise cadastral coordinates (parks B 179, 238, etc.) attest to the extent and consistency of the domain, preserved in its 19th century state. The location, although approximate (level 6/10 according to the Merimée base), would locate the castle at 1695 Prince Weg, in Cassel.

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