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Origin and history

Vascoeil Castle, also known as the Forester Castle, is a 14th, 16th and 17th century residence in the department of Eure, Normandy. It consists of a house, a dovecote of the seventeenth century and an octagonal tower of the twelfth century, all surrounded by a French park of three hectares. The estate, partially listed as a historical monument, was a place of creation for Jules Michelet, who wrote parts of his History of France and his History of the French Revolution between 1843 and 1860, in the cabinet at the top of the tower.

The seigneury of Vascoeil, originally linked to the duchy of Longueville, passed under royal control in 1694 after the extinction of the ducal lineage. Before that, she belonged to the Hague family until 1505, then to the Rouennais merchant Guillaume Le Gras. The estate later became the property of Alfred Dumesnil, son-in-law and disciple of Michelet, who welcomed the historian there during his stay. Today, the site houses a cultural centre with a gallery of sculptures (works by Dalí, Vasarely, Cocteau...) and a museum rebuilding Michelet's cabinet in a 17th century barn.

The domain is a site classified since 1944 and registered since 1942, with specific protections for the dovecoier (1985) and the lodge (1991). In 1970, the lawyer François Papillard founded a centre of art and culture, organizing exhibitions in the rooms of the castle. An auction is planned in 2025 for 34 works from the collections, including works by Pierre Székely and Volti.

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