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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Normandie
  4. Orne
  5. 61570 Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet

  6. Domaine du château de Sassy

 Domaine du château de Sassy à Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet dans l'Orne

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château de plaisance
Orne

Domaine du château de Sassy

    Sacy 
    61570 Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet
Château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Domaine du château de Sassy
Crédit photo : Balthazard - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1800
1900
2000
vers 1760
Construction begins
1789
Interruption of work
1817
Resumption of work
1850
Purchase by Chancellor Pasquier
1925
Garden development
1967
Visit of Queen Elizabeth II
2024
Auction of furniture
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The castle: inscription by order of 11 May 1932 - The French garden with its orangery and terraces with their stairs (cad. B 304 to 306): classification by decree of 6 November 1986 - The facades and roofs of the two 17th century pavilions at the entrance to the courtyard of honour; facades and roofs of the pavilion of the library of Chancellor Pasquier extending the central body of the castle to the south; facades and roofs of the communes extending the central body of the castle to the north and back to the west; the chapel; the facades and roofs of the stables (cf. B 303-307): registration by order of 31 August 1993 - The library of the castle with its interior decoration (Box B 307): classification by decree of 30 December 1994 - The dovecote of the Farm of the Hatrie called Ferme du Mesnil, in total (Box B 425, Lieud La Hatrie): inscription by order of 27 January 2006

Key figures

Antoine François Le Bègue, comte de Germiny - Initiator of the castle Dragon captain, died in 1761
Comte d’Ormoy - Owner post-restauration Finished the castle according to the initial plans
Étienne Denis, duc Pasquier - Chancellor of France Acquite the estate in 1850, enlarged the library
Gaston, duc d’Audiffret-Pasquier - Chancellor's heir Transmitted by adoption, ancestor of current owners
Achille Duchêne - Landscape Designs French Gardens in 1925
Élisabeth II - Queen of England Stayed at the castle in 1967

Origin and history

Sassy Castle, located in Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet in Orne, is an 18th century residence built on the foundations of an ancient fortress. Initiated around 1760 by Antoine François Le Bègue, Count of Germiny, the works were interrupted by the Revolution and then resumed under the Restoration by the Count of Ormoy. The estate, acquired in 1850 by Étienne Denis, duc Pasquier (chancellor of France), was enlarged and transformed, housing a library of 20,000 volumes classified as a historical monument.

The castle, which has been partially protected since 1932, has a geographical particularity: its western wing is crossed by the Greenwich meridian. It overlooks an area of 800 hectares, bordered by a canalized spring and a forest. The interior decorations, preserved in the 19th century, include tapestries of the Gobelins and Aubusson, as well as a 15th century altarpiece in the chapel. Queen Elizabeth II stayed there in 1967 during a private visit.

The French garden, built in 1925 by Achille Duchêne for the 2nd Duke of Audiffret-Pasquier, has been listed as a historical monument since 1986. The estate also includes commons, stables, and a farm with a dovecote registered in 2006. Recent auctions (2015, 2024) have dispersed elements of historical furniture, such as a cabinet stamped Bernard van Risen Burgh (€787,199) or works by Fragonard.

The entrance pavilions, the only remains of the 17th century, frame a court of honour backed by the forest. The library, classified in 1994, preserves rare works such as the Jesuit Catechism (a copy of Henry IV) and a portrait of Chancellor Pasquier by Horace Vernet. The estate remains inhabited by the descendants of the Pasquier, including Xavier d'Audiffret-Pasquier, preserving its architectural and landscape heritage.

The castle illustrates the evolution of aristocratic residences, from the Enlightenment to the Second Empire, mixing military heritage (initial fortress), intellectual ambitions (library) and diplomatic ambitions (royal residence). Its park, three-level terraces and orangery reflect the influence of classic French gardens, while recent sales highlight the heritage value of its furniture.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum