Château de Bénouville

Historic Building in Caen

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Pradigue

The Château de Bénouville, located approximately 10 km northeast of Caen in Normandy, stands as a remarkable example of 18th-century French Neoclassical architecture. Designed by the visionary architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux between 1769 and 1785, the château was commissioned by Hyppolite-François Sanguin, Marquis de Livry, and his wife Thérèse Bonne Gillain de Bénouville, heiress of the property . Its design features a monumental staircase and a façade that were considered highly innovative for the period.

Throughout its history, the château has served various roles. In 1927, it was acquired by the Calvados General Council and transformed into a maternity hospital, providing care for single mothers and their children. During World War II, under the direction of Léa Vion, the château became a center for Resistance activities, offering shelter to Allied airmen and serving as a hub for intelligence operations . Notably, it was near the site of the Pegasus Bridge, captured by British forces on D-Day.

In the post-war period, the château continued to evolve. It housed the Regional Chamber of Accounts from 1986 to 2012 and later became the seat of the European Institute of Gardens and Landscapes . As of September 2024, the château has been closed to the public for extensive restoration work, aiming to restore its original 18th-century ambiance. The reopening is planned for 2027, with the château set to serve as a cultural center, hosting exhibitions and events.

Visitors interested in exploring the château's grounds can enjoy its 11-hectare park, which remains accessible. The park offers scenic views and a tranquil environment, reflecting the château's historical significance and architectural beauty.

The Château de Bénouville appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Caen!

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