Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Saint-Just finds its origins in the thirteenth century, with substructures still visible today. At the end of the 16th century, Jacques de Crosmare (or Croixmare) built a new home, including a mansion, commons, an orangery, and a garden. A state of property of 1608 describes a complete estate with avenue d'ormes, vineyards, mills and chapel. In 1654, the estate moved to Jean de Savary, squire and grand maître des Eaux et Forêts de Normandie, which transformed the park into a French garden and set up a water circuit.

In 1775 the Duke of Penthever acquired the castle and converted it into a hospice for his elderly servants. He added a dairy, a cooler, a factory, and a great common. After his death in 1793, the estate was sold as a national property. Between 1795 and 1826 he changed hands several times: Sébastien-Gilles Huet de Guerville buried his wife there in a reused mausoleum, and then Marshal Suchet, Duke of Albufera, undertook important work from 1816. He restored the residence with the architect Lacornée, refurbished the castle in the Empire style, and had the park redesigned in English by the gardener Belguise in 1825.

Since 1885, the castle belongs to the same family, which gradually restores the park: replanting of the avenue in plane trees (1893), curing of the water room (1905), and re-watering of the chutes (1935). In 1904, the left wing of the castle was demolished. The estate, partially fragmented, nevertheless retains its park classified as Monument Historic in 1997, while the castle and its buildings have been registered since 1995. The remarkable gardens combine 17th, 18th and 19th century heritages.

The castle thus illustrates several architectural and landscape eras, from the Middle Ages to the Empire, including classical and romantic amenities. Its history also reflects the various uses of seigneurial houses: noble residence, hospice, and then private property preserved.

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