Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Bertangles Castle, also known as Château de Clermont-Tonnerre, is located in the commune of Bertangles (Somme, Hauts-de-France). It replaces a medieval seigneurial house rebuilt in the 16th century, then burned in 1597 by the Spaniards. Only the 1625 gate, giving access to the old farm, remains of that time. The seigneury of Bertangles entered the family of Clermont-Tonnerre in 1611, by the marriage of Gabrielle de Glisy with Jacques de Clermont-Tonnerre, Count of Thoury.

The present castle was built between 1730 and 1734 by architect Germain Boffrand for Louis-Joseph de Clermont-Tonnerre. The entrance gates, masterpiece of the ironmaker Jean Veyren (known as "Vivarais"), originally came from the castle of Heilly and were moved to Bertangles in the 19th century. These grids, as well as those surrounding the choir of Notre-Dame d'Amiens, illustrate his talent. The interior of the castle, ravaged by a fire in 1930, was restored identically, preserving the staircase and its wrought iron ramp.

In 1918, the castle served as headquarters for the Australian army under the command of General John Monash, anointed there by King George V. The classified park was partially destroyed by a tornado in 2020, resulting in the slaughter of 200 century-old trees. The estate enjoys multiple protections as historical monuments, covering facades, stairways, gates, alleyways and outbuildings.

The castle is decorated with allegorical sculptures, including Minerva (desses of the arts and sciences) and Bacchus (god of wine), reflecting its aristocratic character. A dovecote, a well with water tower and monumental gates complete the whole. In 2016, the Governor General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove, paid tribute to General Monash by planting a tree and a commemorative plaque.

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