France · Restored
Château de Vendeuvre
The Château de Vendeuvre is an 18th-century Norman country house built between 1750 and 1752 and open to the public as a house museum. It retains original 18th-century interiors and is set within formal, utility and water gardens that include grottoes, fountains and garden follies.
Its prime
1752
Today
Restored
As it stood in 1752
The shape it held in its prime.
Symmetrical three-storey 18th-century country house of pale ashlar rising above a low balustraded terrace; a central curved double stone staircase descends to geometrical parterres and a broad reflecting pond. The steep slate mansard roof is punctured by regularly spaced dormer windows and tall white chimneys. The garden front is framed by clipped yews and rows of lime trees, with mature woodland forming a backdrop; the façade presents evenly spaced tall windows and restrained classical proportions.
Its story
The story of Château de Vendeuvre.
The Château de Vendeuvre was built between 1750 and 1752 for Alexandre Le Forestier, seigneur of Vendeuvre, from a Cotentin family that claimed descent from the Counts of Flanders; he wanted a modern summer retreat in the style of the day, and got a prototypical aristocratic Norman country house near Lisieux.
During the Revolution Alexander of Vendeuvre and his family lived at Rouen, their Caen house having been burned down; because the family did not emigrate, the château was saved from destruction, preserving the original décor and most of the furnishings. After damage in the Second World War, the present Count of Vendeuvre — a direct descendant of Alexander — undertook a complete internal and exterior renovation.
Opened to the public in 1983, each room presents a theme of 18th-century daily life, with automatons pointing out its features — among the curiosities a chandelier with real goldfish in its bowl and a travelling enema kit. The formal, utility and water gardens, with their grottoes, fountains and follies, were classed Jardins remarquables in 2004.
Step inside
11 places to explore in 1752.
The record describes 11 distinct spots at Château de Vendeuvre — including 8 interiors: central entrance hall with ionic columns, grand salon, dining room and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Château de Vendeuvre with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1752 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Château de Vendeuvre.
The families that held Château de Vendeuvre for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Le Forestier
Built 1750–52 for Alexandre Le Forestier, seigneur of Vendeuvre; his direct descendants, the Counts of Vendeuvre, hold it still.
