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Origin and history

The Castle of the Meal, located in Oakedouit in Orne, is a house of the early seventeenth century built on the foundations of a fortified mansion of the fifteenth century. It retains a round tower of central stairway and defensive elements such as a drawbridge and bastionnets, reflecting the need for protection against the looters of the era. The place was already occupied in prehistory, as evidenced by a menhir and an axe of stone found nearby.

The castle was built by Nicolas Sallet, gentleman of the king's chamber, on an ancient axis of communication between Falaise and Domfront, two major strongholds of the Duchy of Normandy. He then passed into the hands of influential families such as Le Verrier, Les Sallet (noblesse de robe), then Les de Cheux, including Admiral Charles-Alexandre de Cheux, an explorer sent by Louis XVI in search of La Perugia. The property also includes a church and a presbytery.

In the 20th century, the castle changed owners several times, including Japanese painter Noriyoshi Ishigooka, whose works were controversial. Since 2006, Olivier Dewavrin has been working on its restoration. Partially listed as historical monuments in 1967, the castle combines granite facades, dardian roofs, and an interior marked by monumental chimneys and solif ceilings, although its decoration has suffered from dispersions and modifications.

The name "Meals" appeared in the 12th century, linked to ecclesiastical registers in the form of Sanctus Julianus militarum and Repentus. A local legend, unverified, associates with the giant Gargantua, but no reliable source confirms this origin. The site, strategic, was a checkpoint between Falaise and Briouze, two important sergeants during the Hundred Years War.

The architecture of the castle illustrates a transition from the Second Renaissance to the Louis XIII style, with Tuscan-column galleries, "capucine" skylights, and a French-style garden. The ditches and the drawbridge recall its defensive role in a forested and isolated area. The interiors, once rich in furniture and tapestries, were partly dispersed in the 20th century.

Homeowner families, such as the Sallets (anonymous under Louis XI) or the de Ceux (barons and admirals), have marked its history. The Frotier de Bagneux family, owner at the beginning of the 20th century, undertook major restorations. Today, the castle remains a testimony of Norman heritage, between medieval heritage and modern adaptations.

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