Château de Beaumesnil (Eure)

Located in the heart of bucolic French Normandy, the Domaine de Beaumesnil has existed in its present form since the 17th century. The castle, heir to a family tradition, is set in 50 hectares of magnificent parkland, and benefited from a restoration campaign in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Its brick and stone architecture reflect multiple influences, making it one of the few existing examples of a Baroque castle from the Louis XIII period.

The Baroque Fountain of the Four Seasons, which the restoration grant supports, is part of the legacy of Audrey Emery. The wife of Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich under the title of Princess Ilyinsky, she acquired the estate in 1927 and embellished it on her travels. During a trip with her husband, she transported the fountain from Italy to decorate the grounds. The fountain features a variety of decorations and sculptures: “mascarons” echo the château’s façade, as does a “gendarme hat”, a puzzling and original architectural detail.

Today, Domaine de Beaumesnil is owned by the Fütsenberg Foundation, named for the last owner of the estate, which regularly organizes tours and welcomes the public.

Restoration of the Baroque-style Fountain of the Four Seasons.

$9,000

FHS Atlanta Chapter

2024