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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Doumely Castle is an old fortified house built in the 15th century on 13th century foundations, located in the Ardennes department. It has been redesigned several times, notably at the end of the seventeenth century and at the beginning of the eighteenth century, where the commons were built, including a large sheepfold 45 meters long. This monument illustrates the architectural transition between medieval artillery towers and modern bastions, with its four water drop-shaped towers, a rare arrangement in France.

During the two world wars, the castle served as a command post, a field hospital and a prison, as evidenced by the inscriptions still visible on its walls. By the end of the 20th century, it was in ruins before being partially restored by an owner, who filled the moat and altered the facades. Since 2017, a new owner has undertaken the renovation of the interiors and facades, with an end to the work planned for autumn 2021.

Partially classified as historical monuments in 1984, the castle is distinguished by its mixed stone and brick apparatus, as well as by its covered round road, which today is not practical. It is considered one of the most imposing buildings visible from the Porcian Route, in the Ardennes Porcian.

The almond towers of the castle, which appeared during a period of architectural transition between the 15th and 16th centuries, prefigure the bastioned Italian plans of the 1530s. These towers, designed to eliminate blind spots, are rare in France, with other examples such as those of Murol Castle in Puy-de-Dôme. The site still bears the traces of its many military and agricultural uses over the centuries.

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