Château-sur-Epte Castle

Château-sur-Epte Castle, locally known as Château de Château-sur-Epte or as Châteauneuf-sur-Epte, lies next to the hamlet of Château-sur-Epte, in the Eure department in France.

Château-sur-Epte Castle was founded by William II of England in 1097 to reinforce the border of his Duchy of Normandy against the Kingdom of France. The castle started out as a typical motte-and-bailey castle; a wooden keep circled by a palisade on a circular earthen mound, with a lower bailey also protected by a palisade. Probably soon after the castle was rebuilt in stone.

In 1119 the castle was fruitlessly besieged by Louis VI of France. Between 1151 and 1160 it is in French hands. Between 1180 and 1184 Henry II of England has the castle strengthened; a new tower was erected and the shirt wall around the keep was built amongst other things. In 1193 Philip II of France saw his chance, when the English king Richard I "the Lionheart" was held prisoner in a castle in present-day Austria, and seized Château-sur-Epte Castle.

In 1358 and 1359, during the Hundred Years' War, the castle is occupied by English troops. In 1437 it was taken by John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury.

Although Château-sur-Epte Castle was adapted to the use of arquebuses during the 16th century, its importance declined. In 1647 the castle was dismantled by order of Cardinal Mazarin.

During the Ancien Régime the remains of the castle were turned into a farm.

In World War II Château-sur-Epte Castle was occupied by the Germans and used as a command post. After 2005 the castle was abandoned and quickly deteriorated.

It was not possible to visit the castle ruin when I came by. But in 2015 a foundation was started to save the castle and hopefully make it suitable for visits again.

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