Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Méricourt-sur-Somme came into being at the end of the 12th century with a first medieval building, later destroyed by order of Cardinal Richelieu. In 1655 the family Le Fournier de Wargemont, which became seigneurial in 1667, began its reconstruction. This castle, located in the present department of the Somme, still retains today traces of this time, like a medieval entrance door and carved shields.

In the 18th century, the main house body, built of cut stone, was enlarged and embellished, reflecting the architectural style of the era. The coat of arms of the Wargemont Fournier, still visible, testify to their influence on the estate. The outbuildings, including stables, shed and greenhouse, complete the whole, while a 15-hectare park with a medieval hydraulic network extends around the castle.

During the First World War, the castle welcomed major figures such as President Raymond Poincaré and Generals Joffre, Foch and Haig, although this information required confirmation. Since 2003, the castle, its outbuildings, its park and its hydraulic network have been protected as historical monuments, preserving a rich heritage of nearly nine centuries of history.

The site, still privately owned, is distinguished by its mixture of medieval, reborn and classic elements. The medieval fortification tower and the 18th century house body, listed in the inventory, illustrate this superimposition of times. The ponds and parts of water, fed by the meanders of the Somme, recall the ingenuity of the hydraulic arrangements of the past.

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