Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Fontenil, located in Saint-Sulpice-sur-Risle in the department of Orne (Normandie), is a monument whose oldest parts date back to the 15th century. The chapel, dated from this period, is the historical heart of the estate. A wing of the castle was reportedly built in 1544, while the north wing was rebuilt in 1875 in a style inspired by the deauvililles villas. The architecture is distinguished by a pink brick apparatus decorated with black diamond motifs, typical of 16th century Normandy.

The estate was marked by a major scientific event: in 1803, Jean-Baptiste Biot discovered the first fragment of the L'Aigle meteorite, confirming the alien origin of meteorites. This discovery, pioneer in astronomy, links the castle to the history of science. The elements protected since 1989 include the ancient facades, two towers, a 15th century chapel and a 17th-15th century press, reflecting its architectural and functional evolution.

The press, built of flint moellons, houses an apple tower characteristic of local agricultural activities. The protection for historic monuments also covers the interior staircase and roofs, highlighting the heritage value of the ensemble. The castle thus illustrates both Norman seigneurial history and the transformations related to rural and scientific uses.

External links