Gonneville Castle is located in the town of Gonneville-Le Theil, in the Manche department, 12 km east of Cherbourg.
Located in the old village of Gonneville, in a wooded valley, the building was originally the seat of one of the oldest seigniories in the region. A first 12th century castle belonged to a companion of William the Conqueror then passed to the Reviers-Vernon family. The King of England John Without Land stopped there in 1203 before re-embarking and leaving the King of France Philippe Auguste to regain full possession of Normandy. There is no longer any evidence of this fortress.
A second castle was built in the 14th century, of which two towers (partly demolished), the keep and the entrance postern remain. The main building dates from the 16th century (the Pirou family then owns the premises) and its construction was completed in the 17th century by Charles Jallot de Beaumont.
Redesigns and consequent restoration took place in the 19th century and again, the site was renovated in the 20th century, after having been occupied by the Germans during the Second World War.
Of the medieval castle there remains essentially the square keep with crenellations and battlements, 17 meters high, and equipped with a corbelled pepperbox. You can still see the moats, the châtelet, the drawbridge, while the main house from the 18th century is framed by corner towers.
The former outbuildings have been converted into gîtes.
Surrounded by a pretty park, the château, which is still privately owned, is protected as a historical monument. It is open to the public from July 15 to August 15 and during Heritage Days in September. Visit possible by appointment only the rest of the year. Information on +33 2 33 71 56 60.
