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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Ferme du Fort, located in Authevernes, Eure, is a 13th and 15th century mansion, listed as a historical monument in 1933. This site, originally a fortified house, has undergone numerous degradations over the centuries, especially between 1947 and 1989, where it was partially dismantled and damaged by a fire. The northeast tower was even beheaded during the Second World War to install an anti-aircraft battery.

In 1989, new owners acquired the estate and began its restoration, giving the whole of its original chandelier. They have developed a medieval garden in the lower courtyard, mixing flowers, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables, in a historical spirit. This mansion, formerly linked to noble families such as the Tournebu and the Daniels, bears witness to the feudal and agricultural history of Normandy.

The fief of Authevernes was first mentioned in 1152 as Guillaume d'Authevernes, seigneur of Chaumont. In the 12th century, the family of Tournebu owned an important fief, which was then passed on to Baudouin Daniel, a French lord, in 1216, after the conquest of Normandy by Philippe Auguste. The fort then passed to the families of Trie and Fours, who gave their names to neighbouring villages like Trie-Château. In 1763 Claude Daniel, knight and squire of the Queen, bought the seigneury from the Chartreux of Gaillon.

The Fort Farm, with its defensive architecture and medieval remains, reflects the social and military transformations of Normandy between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Its history is marked by changes in owners, conflicts and restorations, illustrating the resilience of the French rural heritage.

Authevernes, a rural commune in the Eure, is characterized by dispersed habitat and a strong agricultural presence, with 92.6% of its agricultural territory in 2018. The village, located in the Seine-Normandie basin, is part of the area of attraction of Paris, while maintaining a marked rural character. The Fort Farm, with its seigneurial past and preserved architectural elements, remains a key testimony to local and regional history.

Future

In 1989, Mr. and Mrs. Barthel acquired the whole and tried to restore his original chandelier. In the part of the lower courtyard that was in wasteland, they create a garden of medieval inspiration, mixing flowers, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables in an orchard and a vegetable garden. The entire site is visited on Mondays.

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