Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Castle of Regnière-Écluse, acquired around 1030 by the same family for nearly a millennium, is a rare example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. The count of Hinnisdal, owner in the 19th century, entrusted his transformation to architect Jean Herbault, integrating a 16th century mansion as a central nucleus. The estate was arranged to combine hunting (two Renaissance-inspired game parks) with a 135 hectare English park planted with 138,000 trees from the Crécy forest.

The brothers Duthoit, the Amienese sculptors, decorated the castle for twenty years, notably making a large staircase in 1850, partially carried by railway, an innovation for the time. The estate also includes a model farm, an example of modern 19th century agricultural techniques, and a private chapel. During the two world wars, the castle was occupied by the English army in 1914-1918, then requisitioned by the Germans in 1939-1945 as a hospital.

Ranked Historic Monument in 2006, the estate (815 hectares) was restored in 1961 by Count Raymond de Nicolaÿ, descendant of the historic owners. Transmitted to the Conservatoire du littoral in 2008, it remains partially inhabited by the family, while its management is carried out by a dedicated association. The site also served as a setting for film productions, such as Le Flux et le Reflux (Les Petits Murtres series by Agatha Christie) and Murder Party (2022).

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