By Florian Brassart
Published on
May 4, 24 at 5:40 p.m.
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The region is far from being as rich as the Loire but it is not to be outdone! HAS Condettein the Pas-de-Calaishides a magnificent castle with 900 years of history and with a very British accent. We introduce you to the castle of Hardelot.
The rich history of Hardelot Castle
A mighty castle was built in the 13th century by the Count of Boulogne, Philippe Hurepel, in a context of fortification of the coast in the face of French, English and Flemish desires. “In addition to its defensive function, the castle is also a comfortable pleasure residence, where the counts of Boulogne reside, go hunting and feast,” specifies the castle website.
In the 15th century, Picardy and the Côte d’Opale were attached to the Kingdom of France. Hardelot Castle then became a royal stronghold. In 1615, Marie de Medici, mother of the young Louis XIII, sends the Marshal of Ancre, Concino Concini, to besiege the castle of Hardelot. “The castle, which had become a Protestant stronghold, then belonged to the Marquis de Bonnivet. Having displeased the queen, he is accused of lèse-majesté. »
The building was reduced to a state of ruin after the dismantling ordered by Marie de Medici. It nevertheless remained under royal authority until the French Revolution.
It was in the 19th century that Hardelot Castle passed into the English hands of Sir John Hare and began to take on a British accent. The retired English industrialist, keen on history and antiquities, had the farm buildings destroyed, undertook major archaeological excavations and rebuilt the old keep of the medieval fortress in 1855.
A few years later, Henry Guy, a Londoner married to an opera singer, had a house built with astonishing architecture. A neo-Gothic style mansion from the 19th century is erected on the foundations of the 13th century.
Organized guided tours
It was also in these years that the magnificent gardens of the Château d’Hardelot were created. All these new features have one goal: to create a new seaside resort to welcome the British and French Gentry.
Today, the castle is in the hands of the Pas-de-Calais Department. The heritage site is now dedicated to culture, the arts and the astonishing history of Franco-British relations.
The building and its gardens can be visited, guided tours are regularly organized. To find out more, click here.
Finally, the Château d’Hardelot has the particularity of having at its side the only Elizabethan theater de France, inaugurated in 2016, a true architectural gem.
An emblematic place to discover urgently!
To find out more, click here.
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