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Origin and history

The castle of Folleville, located in the Somme en Hauts-de-France, is an ancient medieval castle whose remains overlook the Noye valley. Its origins date back at least to the 11th century, with a quadrangular dungeon probably built at that time, although the first written traces date only from the 14th century, evoking its destruction during the jacquerie of 1358. The site was a strategic issue during the Hundred Years War, taken in 1440 by the English before being partially dismantled by the Bourguignons to deprive their enemies.

After the war, the present castle could date from around 1478, when Raoul de Lannoy, rewarded by Louis XI for his bravery, became its owner. King Louis XI stayed there in 1477, followed by Charles VIII in 1492, who named Raoul de Lannoy baili d'Amiens. The castle became a royal residence: François I published in 1544 an ordinance announcing the Peace of Crépy-en-Laonnois, and Henry II's sister lived there in 1548. In 1589 he was briefly occupied by the Leagues before being taken over.

In the 17th century, the castle passed into the hands of the Gondi family, of which Philippe-Emmanuel, general of the galeries of France, lived there with his family. Their preceptor, Vincent de Paul, served there as director of conscience for Marguerite de Silly, wife of Gondi. After several transmissions, the Marshal of Mailly ordered his demolition in 1777 to reuse his stones in the construction of the castle of Mailly-Raineval. Today, there is only a 25-metre watchtower, walls, towers and moats, classified as a historical monument since 1992.

The ruins, acquired in 1990 by the Communauté de communes du Val de Noye, are animated each year by the Médiévales de Folleville, a popular festival that recreates the atmosphere of the Middle Ages with tournaments, artisanal demonstrations and fighting. The Folleville Site works on their restoration and enhancement, thus perpetuating the memory of this place full of history, linked to major figures such as Louis XI, François I or Vincent de Paul.

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