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Origin and history

The castle of Eaucourt-sur-Somme, mentioned in 1301 under the name Aqua curte (the small river), was probably built in the 13th century at the initiative of the lords of La Ferté, in response to Philippe Auguste's defensive policy. His chapel Sainte-Marguerite, founded by Marguerite de Picquigny, wife of Mathieu de Roye, attests to its religious and strategic importance. The site, located west of the Somme, served as a strong place to control Ponthieu, a region disputed during the Hundred Years War.

In 1358, during the captivity of John the Good, Abbeville's troops destroyed the castle to prevent the Navarres and the English from settling there. Shortly afterwards, he was taken over several times: in 1420 by Simon de Boulainvilliers (captain of the castle), then in 1421 by the Dauphinois under Jacques d'Harcourt, before being burned by Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy. These events illustrate its key role in the Franco-bourguignon conflicts and the Hundred Years War.

In the 15th century, the castle was rebuilt in 1436 by Jean d'Eaucourt, who lived there until his looting in 1440 by Pierre Renaud de Vignolles (bastard brother of La Hire), who ransomed the lord. In 1499, Isabelle d'Eaucourt married Louis d'Humières, marking a change of ownership. The castle was dismantled after 1589, during the League's wars between Catholics and Protestants, and then gradually abandoned. The last attested occupation dates from 1779, by knight François Vaillant.

The remains, rediscovered in the 20th century, were restored from 1983 by the association A.R.Ch.E. (Association for the Restoration of the Castle of Watercourt). Since then, the site offers educational activities on medieval life (stone size, leather work, etc.) and hosts historical festivals, such as the Medieval Know-how Festival in May. Archaeological excavations, conducted in 2015, revealed a polygonal tower and the seigneurial house.

Architecturally, the castle had a rectangular enclosure (40 m x 50 m) lined with ditches, with an entrance chestnut playing the role of dungeon-refuge. The latter, flanked by two towers and surmounted by mâchicoulis, housed a drawbridge and a vaulted guard room. A watchtower completed the defensive device. The descriptions of the 19th century (R. Belleval, 1860) evoke an independent square dungeon, surrounded by three round towers similar to those of the castle of Rambures, now missing.

Today, the site is open to the public all year round and attracts nearly 17,000 annual visitors (2014). The activities proposed, such as school workshops or the "Rendez-Vous du Fleuve" organized by the Departmental Council of the Somme, aim to transmit medieval techniques and local history. The castle, though partially in ruins, remains a major testimony of the picard military heritage.

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