Construction of the first castle XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Entrance pavilion and commons remaining today.
XIXe siècle
Reconstruction of the present castle
Reconstruction of the present castle XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Built on previous location.
21 octobre 1970
First entry MH
First entry MH 21 octobre 1970 (≈ 1970)
Fronts and roofs of protected communes/chapel.
17 juillet 2025
Extension of protection
Extension of protection 17 juillet 2025 (≈ 2025)
Complete classification of the estate and gardens.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
facades and roofs of the communes and the chapel (Box C 47): inscription by decree of 21 October 1970
Key figures
Information non disponible - No names cited in the sources
Owners or architects not mentioned.
Origin and history
The Château de Francville is a 19th century building built on the remains of a 17th century castle. Located in the Cotentin, on the town of Fontenay-sur-Mer (Manche, Normandy), it retains a vaulted entrance pavilion and communes finished with pepper turrets, inherited from the old structure. The estate also includes a chapel and a vegetable garden surrounded by a circular wall.
The facades and roofs of the communes and chapel were inscribed in the historical monuments since 1970. An extended protection, covering the entire castle, the communes, the chapel, the vegetable garden and its enclosure, was formalized in 2025. These measures highlight the heritage value of the site, combining 17th and 19th century architecture.
1 km north of the church of Saint Martin de Fontenay-sur-Mer, the castle illustrates the evolution of seigneurial houses in Normandy. Its entrance pavilion, with its niches potentially intended for statues, and its symmetrical commons reflect the aesthetic codes of the eras concerned. No information is available about its owners or its precise use over the centuries.
