Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Vendeuvre, located in Calvados in Normandy, was built between 1750 and 1752 by Jacques-François Blondel for Alexandre Le Forestier d'Osseville and his wife, Antoinette de Beaurepaire-Louvagny. This country castle, typical of the eighteenth century, replaces a medieval manor deemed too wet. Its sober architecture, in keeping with Blondel's precepts, focuses on interior functionality, with enfilade lounges, kitchens equipped with traditional fireplaces, and exceptional woodwork. Spared during the Revolution by the non-migration of its owners, he retained his original furniture and decorations, including a red fish chandelier and a "voyeur" for basket dresses.

The castle houses unique collections, such as the Museum of Miniature Furniture (World Premiere) and a collection of 18th century dog niches, reflecting the aristocratic attachment to pets. The exteriors, recreated from the plans of 1813, include a French garden, "surprise" games inspired by Versailles, and picturesque factories (Chinese bridge, shell cave, temple of serenity). Damaged during the Second World War, the castle was restored by the present Count of Vendeuvre, who also rebuilt the historic hydraulic system and opened the estate to the public in 1983.

Partially classified as historical monuments (façades, roofs, living rooms and kitchens in 1970; park and dovecote in 2021), Vendeuvre illustrates the art of living of the Enlightenment century. Its kitchens, still functional, display copper and tin utensils, while the gardens, labeled "Remarkable Garden", combine utility (glacière, vivier) and poetry (labyrinths, fountain of Muses). The domain also perpetuates legends, such as that of the nymph Clement turned into stone by Neptune, or of the crystal tree symbol of wisdom.

The history of the castle is marked by cultural anecdotes: the expression "to lead a life of a chair stick" would come from the wear of the sticks of the bearer chairs exposed in the staircase, while the "bourdeloues" (oblong chamber posts) would derive their name from the long sermons of Abbé Bourdaloue. Today, Vendeuvre combines heritage preservation and innovation, with automatons animating rooms and gardens where water, a central element, recreates the enchantment of aristocratic festivals.

Future

It has been open to the public since 1983 and houses the Museum of Miniature Furniture.

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