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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Dromesnil, located in the eponymous commune of the Somme department (Hauts-de-France), replaces a medieval building rebuilt in the 15th century after the Hundred Years War. Demolished in 1750, it was rebuilt in 1752 in a typical 18th century style, mixing brick and stone. The central house body, flanked by two wings, features a triangular pediment and Louis XVI style interior decoration, especially in the large living room decorated with marble consoles.

The seigneury of Dromesnil, erected as a marquisat, belonged successively to the families of Hallencourt (until 1749), Roussel de Belloy, then Beauvillé from 1884. The family coat of arms, hammered during the French Revolution, bear witness to the political upheavals of the time. The estate was also the scene of a drama in 1940, when Senegalese tirailers were massacred there by the German army, an event commemorated by a stele in the park.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1980, the castle protects its facades, roofs, as well as its large living room and small living room, while the adjoining farm and dovecote are listed in the inventory. The park, planted with hundred-year-old beech trees, and preserved architecture make it a remarkable testimony to the picardian heritage, marked by centuries of history, from reconstructions to modern conflicts.

Historical sources, such as the works of Josiane Sartre or Philippe Seydoux, underline its importance among the "brick and stone" castles of Picardie. The site remains a private property, but its ranking attests to its architectural and memorial value, linked to both the Old Regime and the tragedies of the 20th century.

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