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Origin and history

The Dukes of Argentan Castle, also known as Grand Logis, is a 14th century residence built on the site of an ancient 12th century castle. Located in the Orne in Normandy, it was the center of Argentan's Viscounty and a strategic place for the Dukes of Normandy and the Kings of England. Its architecture reflects its role both defensive and residential, with imposing walls and an oval dungeon 20 meters high.

In the 12th century, Henri I Beauclerc made it a major fortress of Normandy, with four defence lines: exterior walls, interior lease with 16 towers, the castle itself, and a dungeon. The "Grand Logis", residence of kings and dukes, welcomed historical figures such as Henry II Plantagenet, who organized military campaigns there and received papal legats. In 1182, Henry the Lion and Mathilde found refuge there during their exile.

The present house was built around 1370 by Pierre II d'Alençon, Count and grandson of Charles de Valois. This rectangular building, flanked by square towers and a pentagonal turret, became a residence for elites, including Marguerite de Lorraine-Vaudémont, wife of Duke René d'Alençon, who took refuge there in the 15th century. The castle was also the scene of royal stays, like those of François I in 1517 and 1531, marked by sumptuous festivals organized by Leonardo da Vinci.

From the 16th century, the castle lost its residential role to become a seat of justice. In 1727 he housed the Argentan court and prison, after the destruction of the "house of governors". Architectural changes continued, with the resurgence of towers and the restoration of the structure after the bombings of 1944. Today, it still houses the Court of Grande Instance.

From the medieval ensemble, there remains only the base of the polygonal dungeon, the Castral chapel Saint-Nicolas (now a library) and the restored Ducal Logis. Ranked a historic monument in 1889, the Dukes' Castle bears witness to Argentan's turbulent history, between Ducal power, Anglo-French conflicts and judicial transformations.

Among the anecdotes, the castle is associated with the legend of "La Damoiselle", a young ghost girl symbolizing fidelity and purity. The kitchens, seigneurial rooms and the private chapel (dedicated to Saints Como and Damien) recall its residential use, while the remains of the dungeon and enclosures evoke its military past.

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