Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château d'Avesnes, located in the commune of Avesnes-Chaussoy (département de la Somme, region Hauts-de-France), is an architectural complex built mainly in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with elements dating back to the eighteenth century. The building, made of brick and stone, consists of a house body flanked by a hexagonal turret and extended by ancillary buildings. Its facades, roofs, as well as some interiors (large living room, large bedroom) have been protected since 1980 under the title of Historic Monuments.

The castle park preserves a landmark vestige of the Second World War: a V1 missile launch base used in 1944 by the German army to bomb London. Fifteen explanatory panels detail the history and operation of this weapon, the first cruise missile. Every summer, the estate opens its doors for outdoor tours, allowing to explore both historical architecture and this military testimony.

Available sources, including works by Pierre Dubois (1932) and Josiane Sartre (2012), highlight the heritage importance of the castle in the Picardie region. Its dovecote, commons and entry pillars are also protected elements. The site is referenced in the Merimée base and remains a typical example of the "brick and stone" castles of the Somme.

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