Château de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer

Château de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer is a 17th-century residence in the commune of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in the Seine-Maritime department, on the Côte d'Albâtre coast of Normandy.

How far back does the estate's history go?

The estate's story begins in the early 13th century - the first known lord of Saint-Aubin was Henri de Ferrières, a member of a major Anglo-Norman feudal family, first mentioned in 1205. For the following four centuries, until 1653, the property was held as a dependency of the barony of Ferrières and served a defensive role, guarding the valley of the Dun river. According to an account by Charlotte des Ursins, by 1604 only ruins remained of the original fortified building, destroyed over the course of successive wars. The château standing today is therefore a much later chapter in a history that stretches back over eight centuries.

Who built the present château?

The current building was raised by Alphonse Auber de Daubeuf, who acquired the Saint-Aubin estate in 1697 and undertook construction of a new château, partly reusing materials salvaged from the earlier, ruined structure. Before that, the property had already changed hands several times: Charles Le Conte, marquis de Nonant, bought it in 1653, and in 1682 it passed to Simon Arnauld, marquis de Pomponne, secretary of state for foreign affairs under Louis XIV. In 1765 ownership moved to the influential Choiseul-Gouffier family. This string of prestigious owners shows how sought-after the estate was among Normandy's and Paris's aristocracy.

Who owns the château today?

In 1858 the property was bought by Eustache Dely Houdeville, from a Rouen family that had built its fortune in the linen trade. The estate has remained in the same family ever since, with the current owners now representing its sixth generation. Such an unbroken run of private ownership across more than a century and a half is unusual, and it forms part of the estate's own local history.

Is the château a protected historic monument?

The façades and roofs of the château, together with those of its dovecote, were listed as historic monuments (monuments historiques) by decree on 15 June 1976. The listing covers the exterior elevations and roofing of both buildings, formally recognising their architectural and historical value within Normandy's heritage.

What is happening at the château now?

Since spring 2024 the estate has been undergoing restoration work expected to run through 2025. The project covers emergency stabilisation of the main château itself as well as renovation of its 17th-century outbuildings, including a half-timbered cottage, a bread oven and a kitchen-garden greenhouse. The owners plan to bring these buildings back into use: the cottage is to become guest accommodation, the bread oven will be fired up for events, and the converted garages and stables are intended as reception spaces. The estate already has a local following - it hosts an annual music festival drawing several thousand visitors, along with a plant fair.

Where is the château, and what else is worth seeing nearby?

Château de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer stands in the commune of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in Seine-Maritime, on the Côte d'Albâtre coastline near Dieppe. It should not be confused with the better-known seaside resort of the same name in the Calvados department - worth keeping in mind when planning a visit. The surrounding area is defined by the chalk cliffs typical of this stretch of the Channel coast, and the village itself retains a quiet, rural character. As a private property, the château's interior is not open to visitors; it is best seen from the outside, ideally during one of its public events such as the festival or the plant fair.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the current Château de Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer built? Construction began in 1697 under Alphonse Auber de Daubeuf, who reused some materials from the earlier, ruined fortified building on the site.

Can visitors tour the château? No, it has been the private property of the same family since 1858, and the interior is not open to the public.

Is the château a listed historic monument? Yes, the façades and roofs of the château and its dovecote were listed as monuments historiques on 15 June 1976.

Is this the château in Calvados or in Seine-Maritime? It is in Seine-Maritime, on the Côte d'Albâtre - a different location from the seaside resort of Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in Calvados.