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Origin and history

The castle of Bougy, located in the Calvados department in Normandy, has its origins in the 17th century under the impulse of the Le Reverend family, local lords since at least 1589. Jean Le Réverend, lieutenant general under Louis XIV, remained faithful to the king during the Fronde despite pressure to deny his Protestant faith. His son, Jean-Jacques, Marquis de Bougy, was forced into exile in Holland for religious reasons, causing his property to be seized. The present structure of the castle, mainly dating from the 18th century, is the work of the Hue de Carpiquet family, which remodelled it while maintaining the grip of the previous building.

In the 18th century, the Hue de Carpiquet family redesigned the castle and built a large park, including ponds fed by springs and a 2 km driveway, now reduced to 700 m. This park, designed taking into account the natural constraints of the land, is considered the most remarkable element of the estate. Pavilions were added in the 19th century at the back of the building. The castle, inscribed in historical monuments since 2000, preserves architectural elements such as the coat of arms of the Hue de Carpiquet on its pediment, as well as outbuildings ( stables, dovecote, wash) and moat.

The history of Bougy Castle reflects the religious and political tensions of its time, especially through the destiny of the Reverend family, marked by loyalty to the king and refusal to abjure. The transformation of the estate in the 18th century illustrates the evolution of aristocratic tastes, with particular attention to landscape integration. Today, the site combines architectural and natural heritage, testifying to centuries of Norman history.

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