Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Château du Grand Fresnay, located in the rural commune of Étilleux (Eure-et-Loir), probably dates from 1480, according to historical sources. This monument represents a characteristic example of the civil architecture of the late Middle Ages, with a house on the ground floor and floor, marked by richly carved sharp gables. The west gable, adorned with plant hooks and sphinx-shaped crossettes with expanded wings, illustrates the craftsmanship of the time. Originally, the castle was twice as large, including a symmetrical part and a central staircase tower, now missing.

The house opens onto a closed courtyard, typical of the seigneurial houses of the region. The facades and roofs, protected since 1978 by the Historical Monuments, contrast with the 19th century stables that occupy the west and east sides of the courtyard. This architectural contrast reflects the transformations of the estate over the centuries. The castle, although partially dismantled, retains major structural elements that make it a remarkable heritage of Perche, a natural region on horseback between Normandy and Centre-Val de Loire.

Les Étilleux, a commune integrated with the Perche Regional Natural Park, is one of two protected monuments of this castle and Notre-Dame Church. The rural and agricultural context of the municipality, marked by a 99.7% land use dedicated to agriculture in 2018, highlights the historical importance of local seigneuries in the territorial organisation. The Grand Fresnay Castle, open to the public during Heritage Days and in summer, offers an overview of noble life in rural areas in the 15th and 16th centuries, a period of transition between feudality and Renaissance.

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