Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Bernicourt has its origins since 1374 in the form of a manor house with low courtyard. The present building was built in 1743 on a 25 hectare estate, becoming a seigneurial residence until the early 20th century. This castle, typical of 18th century architecture, reflected the prestige of its successive owners, before being profoundly transformed by its industrial and municipal use.

In 1930, the castle was acquired by the Houillères, which housed their executives and employees there until 1985. This period marked a turning point in its history, moving from an aristocratic residential function to a collective use linked to regional mining activity. The town of Roost-Warendin became its owner in 1985 and undertook restoration work to restore the monument to its radiance, while adapting to modern cultural uses.

Since 1989, the castle of Bernicourt, although emptied of its original furniture, hosts temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and an eco-museum on the first floor as well as in the basement. Partially listed as historical monuments on June 30, 1987, it retains remarkable elements such as its pavilions, its gate, and the buildings of its farm. Its park, including a piece of water and a mill, was also recognized as a remarkable garden.

Today, the castle embodies both the architectural heritage of Hauts-de-France and the industrial memory of the North, while playing an active role in local cultural life. Its evolution, from lords to miners to the municipality, illustrates the social and economic changes of the region over centuries.

Future

Opened in 1989 to the public, this castle, emptied of its period furniture, today hosts temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and an ecomuseum on the 1st floor and in the cellar.

External links