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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château d'Émalleville has its origins on a feudal motte dating from the 11th or 12th century. This medieval site served as a foundation for the current building, rebuilt around 1725 for François Duvert, treasurer of France at the Rouen finance office. This first castle reflected the classical architectural style of the era, marked by a rigorous symmetry and sober ornaments, typical of the aristocratic residences of the early eighteenth century.

The castle gardens were built between 1731 and 1745, according to the landscape cannons of the time, probably combining geometric elements and visual perspectives. The main house was significantly enlarged between 1850 and 1860 with the addition of lateral wings, while the commons, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, completed the whole. These changes reflected the changes in the lifestyles and residential needs of the aristocracy in the 19th century.

Inside, the castle housed frescoes made in 1906 by Paul Baudouin, an artist known for his decorative works. These frescoes, now deposited, bear witness to a late beautification, characteristic of the restorations and modernisations undertaken by successive owners. After 1880, Georges Duméril enriched the park and built a modern farm, illustrating the adaptation of the estate to the economic challenges of the late 19th century.

Ranked Historic Monument in 1996, the castle benefited from a thorough restoration from 1991, led by Jean-Pierre Jouve. This restoration was based on documentary and historical research aimed at preserving both the old structures and subsequent additions. The site now includes the castle, its courtyards, gardens, the gardener's house, as well as the remains of the feudal motte, offering a multi-sacular testimony of local history.

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