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| Château
de Sommesnil
Département:
Seine-Maritime (76) |
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| The
Château de Sommesnil is at a high elevation over Normandy's Caux
valley in the Seine-Maritime region known as the Pays de Caux.
It is a land of steep, white coastal cliffs, deep harbors, rows of
beech
trees serving as windbreaks, a vast array of country manoirs and
châteaux,
surrounded by a green countryside. Quaint Normandie houses and cottages
abound with fields of flax on the chalk plateau. The
Seine-Maritime was
the
birthplace of Gustave Flaubert, King Edward IV of England, and
the home of Claude
Monet,
Camille Pissarro, Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Paul
Auguste
Renoir who were among the many Impressionists who found the coast and
light
of the region irresistible. You will, too! The entire area
is rich in history from 1000 year-old abbeys, castles
and cathedrals to more recent historic events related to World War II. Château
de Sommesnil is a mid-18th century mansion with fine proportions and
symmetry,
recently restored to a very high standard. It offers three
salons,
an elegant dining room that can seat up to twenty at the table, five
guest rooms, and spacious grounds for walks and exploration. Many
disused railway tracks have been converted into hiking and cycling
trails in the region. The château is offered on a B&B
basis, and additional meals can be ordered with the on-site staff for
events such as parties, seminars and other catering needs at very
reasonable rates. This is a region that has been inhabited by the Celts, Romans, and Vikings in ancient and Medieval times and is steeped in history.. Today, a trace of the Norman dialect remains in the Pays de Caux as it does in the Cotentin to the west. More recent history dates to World War II when the German occupation of the region had an impact on the population. General Rommel, commander of the 7th Panzer Division, used Château de Sommesnil as his base. A testament to those citizens who endured or the Allied soldiers who were lost in the war lies in the area's commemorative stained glass windows and pristine graveyards, carefully maintained by the local people on behalf of the War Graves Commission. The owner of the château, David Daniel, is eager to welcome you to his château. He offers escorted tours of the region for small groups who are staying at the château or in the area. These tours are described below. Graves of soldiers who died in WWI and WWII can be located and visits by relatives can be arranged.. The château is easily reached from Great Britain by the Dover to Calais ferry or the Eurotunnel from Folkstone to Calais (a two hour drive to the château) or the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, which is a thirty-five minute drive to the château. The château is situated 126 miles from Charles de Gaulle airport. Yvetot is the nearest station, one hour and twenty minutes from Paris, and car rental is available at the station. It is advisable to book in advance. For families or a group of friends interested in a unique holiday experience in Normandy that combines interesting historical visits with the taste of French château life, staying at Château de Sommesnil would be perfect. Making it all the more satisfying is having an enthusiastic host who loves the château and the Pays de Caux and wants to share it with his guests. * * * Book this lovely château by contacting au Château and mention 'Sommesnil' in the subject line. Get a 30% discount! * * * |
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| Inviting Salons | Cuisine and Dining | The Château | Park
and Estate |
Elegant Guest Rooms |
