Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Old Château de Senonches, located in the department of Eure-et-Loir in the region Centre-Val de Loire, finds its origins in the 11th century with a first house-forte. In the 12th century, Hugues II, lord of Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais, rebuilt the castle on the ruins of the old building after his return from captivity in 1130. This new castle, quoted in a charter of the beginning of the twelfth century, includes a dungeon in a graze (ferruginous local stone) and fortifications surrounding the village. These remains are still visible today, especially near the school street and under the current ramparts.

The site played a strategic role as a natural boundary between Beauce and Perche, as well as a political boundary between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France. The fortified village, lined with ponds and forests, formed a defensive line with Saint-Rémy-sur-Avre and Brezolles. The current buildings, joined to the medieval dungeon, date from the 16th and 17th centuries and consist of two houses with connected roofs. Since 2003, the castle has been under renovation and since 2016 has been home to the Perche Forest Theme House, called Forest of History.

The monument has been partially classified as a Historic Monument since 1923 for its 12th century dungeon, while the façades and roofs of the 16th and 17th century houses have been listed since 1984. Owned by the commune, it illustrates the architectural evolution between the Middle Ages and the modern era, with remains of ancient structures visible in the lower part. The 12th century porch tower, built in a graze, remains a major architectural curiosity of the site.

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