Castles to visit in the surroundings of Bayeux
Château de Balleroy
17 minutes drive from Bayeux
Château de Creully
15 minutes drive from Bayeux
Château de Lantheuil
17 minutes drive from Bayeux
Château de Fontaine-Henry
25 minutes drive from Bayeux
Château de Balleroy
A castle that inspired that of Versailles and where you can appreciate one of the first suspended staircases in France.
Balleroy castle is a private property opened to visitors. You can visit the interior of the chateau, the hot air balloon museum, the park and the garden and the dovecote with its 1,700 « boulins » (stone nests).
The chateau was built in 1631 by the architect François Mansart (1598-1666) at the request of Jean II de Choisy, Receiver General for Finance in Caen. The creation of the urban plan with the castle and the village inspired other chateaux such as that of Versailles. The château of Balleroy is very innovative in the architecture that appeared at this time.
The château was owned for 50 years by the Forbes family (who acquired it in 1970) : it was then fully restored and refurnished.
Roy Eddleman, a family friend who used to come here often fell in love with the architecture of the castle, which he bought in 2020. Mr Eddleman died in June 2022 but the castle will not be sold and work and projects will continue.
LE CHATEAU
14490 Balleroy sur Drôme
Website HERE.
- Open from April 1 to early November (until the end of the fall school holidays in France)
– From Wednesday to Sunday : 10:45am-6pm and everyday in July & August (same times). - Guided visit of 45 minutes in French & English of the interior of the chateau, starting every hour from 11am to 5:15pm (the last one).
- The park/garden, the dovecote and the hot air balloon (Mr Forbes’ passion) are to visit alone.
- Price : from 3 to 9 euros according to what you want to visit.
Château de Creully
An interesting fortified castle to discover since it is one of the three remaining with those of Caen and Falaise.
Creully Castle is an old fortified castle dating from the 12th century and which underwent several transformations until the 19th century. This is why it can surprise by its unusual architecture. From medieval times, the ramparts, the moat and a beautiful Romanesque room remain.
It is open to the public for guided tours (in French and English) only on a short period during the high season, from June to September : you will access several rooms of the castle, the radio and BBC museum (during the D-Day landing in 1944, the BBC studio had been set up by war reporters in the Square Tower of the castle) and an exhibition on the works of Roland Lefranc, Norman painter and lithographer of the 20th century.
The park and the terrace (from where you have a beautiful panorama of the countryside) are free access all year round.
FORTIFIED CASTLE OF CREULLY
30 Place Edmond Paillaud, 14480 Creully-sur-Seulles
- From June to September : guided tours in French and English of 45 minutes.
– Monday at 2pm-3pm-4pm-5pm
– Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 10am and 11am / 2pm-3pm-p-5pm
– Friday at 10am and 11pm. - Price : 6 euros / free under 18. Cash payment.
- The park and the terrace are in free access all year round from 8am to 9pm (May 1-August 31) / until 7pm from September 1 to April 30.
Where to eat in Creully ?
HOSTELLERIE SAINT-MARTIN
6, place Edmond Paillaud, 14480 Creully-sur-Seulles
Website HERE
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Open every day for lunch and dinner.
Reservation recommended for Sunday and during the high season.
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A good traditional restaurant located in a very beautiful vaulted room (the former market halls) dating from the 13th-16th centuries.
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Menus from 19 to 43 euros, children’s menu (-12) and à la carte dishes.
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Château de Lantheuil - also called Château de Manneville
This elegant and imposing private castle nestled in a wooded valley near Creully-sur-Seulles (3 minutes drive) was built in 1613 for the Marquis Turgot and still belongs to one of his descendants, Ysabel de Naurois-Turgot.
The whole estate was classified as a Historic Monument in 2008 (the castle had been since 1931).
You access the castle by a somptuous avenue of around 800 meters long bordered by 300-year old beeches.
You can visit the park, the « French » gardens and the interior of the castle (the castle can be visited only by appointment and from 5 people) : through a guided tour rich in anecdotes and led by the owners themselves you will discover some historical rooms and will be immersed in the history of their family from the 17th century to nowadays. You will travel at the same time through the history of France ! Very interesting as you can imagine !
4X4 excursions are also organized in the woods of the estate to discover a natural environment where it is not uncommon to see pheasants and deer : a very pleasant activity.
GARDENS & CHATEAU OF LANTHEUIL
14480 Ponts-sur-Seulles
Contact : contact@domaine-chasse-turgot.com
Owners speak French and English.
Website HERE.
- Gardens are open from June 15th to September 15th : every day except on Tuesday, 2:30pm-6:30pm.
Guided tour at 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.
Price : 10 euros / reduced price for 7-15 / free under 7. - Château history tour : only by appointment and from 5 people.
Contact : contact@domaine-chasse-turgot.com - Special opening for the Heritage Days (usually on the third weekend of September).
Château de Fontaine-Henry
This very elegant private castle (the current owner is Marquis d’Oilliamson) has been in the same family since the year 1200 and has never been sold since !
It was originally in the 13th century a defensive and fortified castle that was transformed into a rich residence in the 16th century by an architect of Caen. This castle has a sculpted aspect like lace that can remind the castles of the Loire Valley.
The castle can only be visited by guided tour : you will discover the interior of the château, its history, furniture and beautiful art collections.
Before or after the guided tour, you can walk through the park and visit the beautiful Val Bunel Chapel on the property built around 1200 by the powerful Tilly family : this chapel is one of the largest among the private châteaux of France. It can accommodate up to 130 people. Admire the 42 stalls carved in stone, very unique in France.
Many activities (especially for children) and events are proposed throughout the year. It’s a very active castle ! All details are on the website.
CASTLE OF FONTAINE-HENRY
3 Place du Château, 14610 Fontaine-Henry.
Contact : bienvenue@chateaudefontainehenry.com
Website HERE.
- Open from Mid-April to October 1 + on certain dates during the year (Easter, Halloween…) :
– Please check exact opening days and times online as they change according to the seasons.
– Open everyday except on Tuesday from mid-June to mid-September 1:30pm-6:30pm.
– Guided tours at fixed times. Check online. - Many tour options and events are organized throughout the year :
– Classic tour, Night visit, VIP rooftop tour, Investigation in the park …
– Liberation tavern, Games & Chivalry festival, Halloween…
If you are in Fontaine Henry, go for a nice walk to the beautiful church of Saint-Pierre de Thaon
There is a pretty little church of the 6th and 7th centuries nestled in a green setting a few minutes by car from the castle of Fontaine Henry that it would be a shame to miss.
The church is closed to the public except in summer, but you can park in the parking lot of the site and make a short walk in a beautiful wooded path leading to the church.
There is also a picnic area on site.
CHURCH OF SAINT-PIERRE DE THAON
– Exit village of Thaon, CD 170 towards Fontaine-Henry.
– Car park and path leading to the church, 14610 Thaon.
– Open to the public in July & August, from 3pm to 6pm.
