Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Courcy, located in Fontenay-sur-Mer in the Manche, is a 17th-century residence renovated in the 18th century. It originally belonged to the Le Berceur family, local gentlemen. In 1611, after the death of their father, Guillaume Le Berceur inherited the mansion of Courcy, while his older brother, Hervé II, received the lands of Fontenay. Guillaume rebuilt the building around 1653, as evidenced by a dated stone.

In the 18th century, the castle passed to the Hellouin family by marriage. Henri-Auguste Hellouin, Marquis de Courcy, lived there after a military career and tried to enhance the surrounding lands, but died ruined in 1791. His son, Pierre Hellouin de Courcy, an emigrant and royalist, was shot in 1795 after Quiberon landed. The castle was then sold to settle debts.

In 1935, Dr Gatellier, a Parisian surgeon, acquired the castle. During the Second World War, he was spared despite the intense fighting of June 1944, having changed hands nine times in three days between Germans and Americans. Since then, he has remained in the Gatellier family, with parts classified as historical monuments in 1968 and 1995.

Architecturally, the castle consists of a long body of houses flanked by two short wings, with facades coated with the technique known as "clad to nail". It preserves elements of its agricultural past, such as a 16th century farm and dovecote. The French-style gardens and moats complete this historic complex.

External links