Château de Merval, château à Brémontier-Merval (Seine-Maritime)
Château de Merval is a seventeenth-century stone building in the Pays de Bray region, featuring a symmetrical rectangular main structure with two flanking pavilions and outbuildings. The estate includes formal gardens with flower beds and trimmed hedges, an orchard with over 500 apple varieties, and a historic dovecote that adds character to the grounds.
Built in 1629 by architect Louis Panier for nobleman Louis de Bucy, the castle served as an elegant residence for centuries before changes came after World War II. It was handed to the state and transformed into an agricultural school in 1990, though the original structure and gardens remained intact.
The estate reflects how farming and fruit-growing have shaped this region, with its orchard holding hundreds of apple varieties that connect to local livelihoods. The working cider house and gardens show how inhabitants maintain their agricultural traditions and use the grounds as part of their daily rural culture.
The estate welcomes visitors to walk freely through the park and gardens year-round, though it is best visited during warmer months when the orchard is in bloom and the cider house operates in summer. Parking is available nearby, and visitors should stay on marked paths to help preserve the grounds while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
The estate holds one of the region's largest orchards with over 500 apple varieties, making it a rare repository of local fruit-growing heritage that few visitors realize exists. This exceptional collection offers a glimpse into the depth of horticultural tradition that has been maintained across generations in this corner of Normandy.
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