Le Vieux Château, Medieval castle in Le Neubourg, France

Le Vieux Château in Le Neubourg keeps only part of its medieval complex: the 1509 half-timbered Maison-Neuve and the former salle des préaulx of 1300, leaning against the old curtain wall. To the north runs a fortified front of about 120 m with towers, curtain wall and a gate with drawbridge; to the south stands a 13th-century logis with a great timber-roofed hall, called the Ancienne Comédie. The east side was demolished in 1782-83 to create the market square.

Built around the year 1000, the castle was stormed in the 12th century by Henry Beauclerc, King of England and fourth son of William the Conqueror. On his death in 1135 the Norman lords met here to elect Stephen of Blois as king of England. On 2 November 1160 the wedding of Margaret of France, daughter of Louis VII, and Henry the Young was held here. The east part was demolished in 1782-83 to create the market square, and the whole site was classified as a monument historique by decree of 25 June 2020.

The name Vieux Château distinguishes the medieval castle from later seigneurial buildings in the town. Its great hall, the Ancienne Comédie, hosted in November 1660 the royal Marais troupe performing Corneille's La Toison d'or, described in the sources as the first féerie opera staged in France. The municipality bought the castle in 2011, completing the purchase in 2014, and acquired the adjoining Maison-Neuve in February 2017, reuniting two parts separated since 1843.

The castle is private and not open to visitors; the municipality bought it in 2011, with the sale completed in 2014, and added the adjoining Maison-Neuve in February 2017. The remains stand between rue de Brionne and the Place du Château, created in 1782-83 when the eastern part was demolished. The 17 metres of rampart and the horseshoe-shaped tower of Madame de Boulay can be seen from the public square.

The castle's name survives in the Place du Château, the market square created in 1782-83 when the eastern part of the complex was demolished. The municipality bought the site from the Lettré family in 2011, completing the purchase in 2014, and acquired the adjoining Maison-Neuve in February 2017, reuniting two halves separated since 1843 by an inheritance.