Château de Villers-en-Ouche

Built in the early 17th century, the Château de Villers-en-Ouche is a rare and authentic ‘maison des champs’ (country house), with remarkably preserved commons, gardens and a 15th-century dovecote.

Site History

The estate originally included a fortified house, of which the octagonal dovecote (15th–16th century) survives. The present château was built in the early 1600s by the Beaurepaire de Louvagny family, nobles of the sword. The symmetrical layout included a cour d’honneur flanked by commons; a French formal garden with pavilions and walls in brick, flint and cob; and, later, an English-style park with garden features and a folly known as the “Trianon.”

Inside, the monumental oak staircase dates to the 17th century, while salons and woodwork reflects the Louis XVI style. The current mansard roof is the result of 18th-century modifications after a fire. The estate is also home to a chapel known as “Petite Hollande,” a cider press and an Orne-style farmhouse.

The château and its outbuildings have been successively protected as a historic monument: inscribed in 1974 and 1989, with classification extended in 2005 for its rare 18th-century painted wallpapers. In 2024, the protection was increased to cover the entire site.

About the Project

Following a full architectural study in 2023, the restoration has been divided into four phases (2025–2029), beginning with the clos-couvert (roof, walls and openings). The specific phase supported here concerns the dormers on the second floor, encompassing consolidation of their brick surrounds, repair and partial replacement of woodwork, and renewal of glazing. These dormers are not only structurally compromised but also central to the château’s aesthetic harmony. Their restoration will ensure weatherproofing of the upper floor, protect interiors from water infiltration and preserve the architectural integrity of the façades.

Château de Villers-en-Ouche Today

Acquired in 2002 by Stéphanie and Luc Domergue, the château is managed through a family société civile immobilière and has been progressively restored. It is open to the public in July and September and by appointment year-round, with 100–300 visitors annually. The site participates in the Journées du Patrimoine and the Nuit des Châteaux.

Activities include guided and self-guided visits, seasonal rentals, weddings and short-term stays (the château sleeps 25 people). Projects underway include the creation of a group gîte with accessible facilities and the formalization of cultural programming through the newly founded Association des amis du Château de Villers-en-Ouche. The restoration of the dormers marks the first visible step of a major preservation program, ensuring that the château remains a vibrant part of Normandy’s heritage and a welcoming site for cultural and community life.