Sorel Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

Sorel Castle, at Sorel-Moussel (Eure-et-Loir), has occupied a strategic frontier position between the Kingdom of France and the Duchy of Normandy since the 10th century. According to the chronicle of Orderic Vitalis, Robert Curthose is said to have taken refuge there around 1076–1077. The original fortress was destroyed in the 13th century by Robert III of Dreux, who was forbidden by Saint Louis to rebuild the keep after Normandy was united with the kingdom. Reduced to a simple manor house, the estate was entirely rebuilt in the early 17th century by Pierre III Séguier, Marquis d'O, as a large residence with a main block flanked by two pavilions with steep slate roofs, probably with the involvement of Clément Métezeau. In 1641 his widow added a Baroque entrance portal decorated with figures of Flora and Pomona. Largely demolished during the Revolution, leaving only the portal and one pavilion standing, the estate was bought in 1820 by the Duchess of Orléans, and then in 1952 by the architect Olivier-Pomponne de Bazelaire, who restored it. The château, now privately owned, can be visited and hosts events in its gardens.