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Origin and history

The Châtel d'Hébécevon, also known as the Chastel or the Castel, is a 16th-century residence in the commune of Hébécevon, in the Manche department, in Normandy. This monument, which has been listed as historic monuments since 1946, stands 1.2 km west of Saint Martin's Church. It embodies the residential architecture of the Norman nobility of that time.

Possession of the Chastel family since the 13th century, the castle was rebuilt at the end of the 16th century by Jean du Chastel, squire and sieur du Chastel, who died in 1622. Born into a Protestant family of Norman nobility, he passed the estate on to his son Jacques du Chastel, Sieur de la Bucaille. The latter, married to Diane Le Canu, lady of Basmaresq, has only one surviving heir, Louis du Chastel, Sieur d'Hébécevon, who inherits the castle.

In 1691, the castle was ceded to Georges Dancel, squire and sieur de Saint-Jean-du-Corail, before being acquired in 1700 by Louis-Antoine Desmaretz. Later, he died by legacy to the Marquis de Marescot. After the damage suffered in 1944, the castle had to be restored. Its inscription in historical monuments by order of 1 April 1946 bears witness to its heritage importance.

The Châtel d'Hebécrevon illustrates the architectural and family transitions of the Norman nobility between the 16th and 18th centuries. Its history reflects the religious changes, with the presence of Protestants in the Chastel family, as well as the social and economic changes in the region.

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