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Origin and history

The castle of Harfleur is a 17th century house built on the site of the old city walls, in the Seine-Maritime department. Acquired in 1636 by Pierre Costé, seigneur of Saint-Supplix, the land once belonged to King Louis XIII. The castle, completed in 1653, became a fief under the name of Saint-Martin d'Harfleur, and was renamed in 1600 after protests from the Abbey of Montivilliers.

Upon the death of the last Costé in 1755, the castle passed to the family La Bedoyère, which undertook restorations in 1851 and 1873, entrusted notably to the architect Viollet-le-Duc. In 1910, Charles Schneider became its owner, before the town of Harfleur acquired it in 1953 to become its city hall. The monument, inscribed in the historic monuments in 1926, is an emblematic example of Louis XIII architecture.

The castle is distinguished by its history linked to the Norman aristocracy and the urban transformations of Harfleur. Its location on the old ramparts bears witness to the evolution of the city after the demolition of the fortifications. Successive restorations, especially those of the 19th century, have preserved its architectural character while adapting to modern uses, such as its current role as city hall.

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