Boulogne-la-Grasse Castle

Boulogne-la-Grasse Castle, locally known as Château de Boulogne-la-Grasse, lies next to the village with the same name, in the Oise department in France.

In 1890 Charles Boulogne, a rich Belgian landowner from Paris, bought the title of Count of Boulogne. Subsequently he built Boulogne-la-Grasse Castle between 1890 and 1913 with the use of local craftsmen. The castle was built on the site of a predecessor once owned by the Lancry family.

During WW 1 Boulogne-la-Grasse Castle was situated very close to the frontline. French soldiers were stationed in the village and the castle and one of its towers was used as an artillery lookout post. In 1915 the castle was visited by the French Prime Minister Poincare, the Minister of War Millerand, General Joffre and the Belgian King Albert I. They viewed the frontline from one of its towers. In the first half of 1918 the village and castle were shelled by German forces which almost obliterated the village and largely destroyed the castle. After this bombardment the area came under German control. In August 1918 the area was under French control again.

Between 1919 and 1935 the castle and outbuildings were partially reconstructed to repair the damage caused by WW 1.

To be honest; this isn't a real medieval castle, although it surely looks that way. But when you take a closer look you can see it is neo-medieval or, what we would call today, a Disney-like castle. Very charming!

At present the castle is privately inhabited and can not be visited. It can be viewed easily from the public road.

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