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Origin and history

The Château de Clères, located in the Seine-Maritime department in Normandy, finds its origins in the 11th century with the construction of a dungeon. Reconstructed in the 13th century, it became the cradle of the Clères family. Partially demolished in 1418 after the Battle of Azincourt during the Hundred Years War, it was rebuilt in the late 15th and 16th centuries, during which time it welcomed two kings of France: Charles IX in 1563, then Henry IV in 1590 and 1592, while his owner, Jacques de Clères, fought alongside him during the Wars of Religion.

In the 17th century, the seigneury passed to Fontaine-Martel, supporters of the Fronde, whose castle was taken in 1649 by royal troops. In the 18th century, it echoed Bethune-Charost by marriage, before being abandoned at the end of the century. In 1837, it was handed over to the Galard de Béarn, who restored it in 1865 in a neo-Gothic style, with architect Henri Parent and sculptor Foucher, while redesigning the park via landscape architect Bussigny. The castle, damaged during the First World War, was acquired in 1920 by ornithologist Jean Delacour, who created a zoological park there.

Owned by the Museum of Natural History from 1966 to 1989, it was then bought by the Seine-Maritime county council. The castle, built of stone, flint and sandstone, includes remains of the eleventh century (castral motte), 13th and 16th century buildings, as well as 19th century additions. It has been listed as a historical monument since 2017, protecting its building, commons, manor house, terrace and period portal.

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