Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Bonvouloir tower, located in the Orne in Normandy, is the last vestige in elevation of a castle built at the end of the 15th century. This monument stands on the former town of Juvigny-sous-Andaine, now integrated in Juvigny Val d'Andaine, near the forest of Andaine. The site, classified as historical monuments, also includes the remains of a dovecote, a converted chapel, a deep well of 33 meters and ditches delimiting the plate of the castle. The main tower, 26.50 metres high and covered by a bell roof, served as a watchtower and houses a stone staircase leading to its summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The fief of Bonvouloir was created in 1485 by René, Duke of Alençon, who offered to his adviser Guyon Essirard (or Eschirat), then master of the Duke's hotel. He left his home from La Palu to Sept-Forges to build this castle. In 1515, the estate passed to the Achard de Bonvouloir family, several of whom served as governors of Domfront. In the 17th century, the castle was converted into a farm, and its stones were reused to build agricultural outbuildings, such as the barn or the press. In the 18th century, one of the towers was transformed into a dovecote, while the French Revolution accelerated its partial destruction, leaving only remains today protected.

The preserved elements include, in addition to the tower called The Lighthouse, the facades and roofs of the old chapel (temporarily inhabited), communes, and an 18th century building. The site, surrounded by ditches and gardens, bears witness to the medieval organization of a fortress, with a lower courtyard and partially visible ramparts. The remains, classified by decree of 4 July 1995, are freely accessible from outside all year round. Their preservation allows us to study the architectural evolution of a castle on a farm, typical of the Norman region.

Historical sources also mention local legends related to the tower, such as the one told on normandythenandnow.com, as well as extensive studies, including the article by J. Hamon (1956) on the history of the fief and his lords. The site, although partially dismantled, remains a remarkable example of Normandy's military and agricultural heritage, illustrating the transformations of the castles from the modern era.

External links