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Origin and history

The fortified house of Bois-Rozé is a military home of the early 16th century, located in Bénarville, in the Seine-Maritime department in Normandy. It is distinguished by its quadrangular plan, its composite materials (calcareous stone, flint, brick and sandstone) and its internal defensive devices, such as an entrance lock and cannon guard rooms. The building, now unfurled, preserves only one tower and walls, remains of a fortified complex formerly controlling the Ganzeville Valley.

The house, occupied by the English troops during the Hundred Years' War, was later acquired by Charles de Goustimesnil, captain of the league, who joined Henry IV in 1593. A subsequent fire ravages its upper part, resulting in its partial disassembly. The monument, rebuilt in the 17th century, was restored in the 1980s by Charles Clément-Grandcourt. It was listed as a historical monument in 1996, including the north wall, the remains of the enclosures, the dovecote and surrounding plots.

The fortified house illustrates the defensive architecture of the Norman Renaissance, marked by adaptations to the conflicts of the time. Its original access through an external bridge and its interior fittings reflect a desire to reconcile seigneurial habitat with military protection. The sources, such as the works of Philippe Seydoux or the archives of the Mérimée base, underline its heritage importance in the Pays de Caux.

Today, the site consists mainly of a tower and walls of stone and brick, testifying to its strategic past. Although partially destroyed, the building remains a significant example of Norman strong houses, characteristic of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its inscription in historical monuments guarantees the preservation of its remaining elements, providing an overview of local military and architectural history.

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