Émalleville: Château Park, Church and History

Émalleville is centred around its 18th-century château. For travellers looking for a hotel for a trip here, the park, the history of the château and the Church of Notre-Dame give the town a clear cultural and historical focus. The GR® 222 – Entre Eure et Iton long-distance footpath adds a designated walking route to these themes. You can decide which aspects to prioritise in your travel plans according to your interests in garden design, architectural history or walking.

Gardens, Lime Trees and Remarkable Tree Species

The park of the Château d’Émalleville covers 16 hectares. Along the main axis of the estate, it preserves double rows of lime trees arranged in a semicircle. The landscape is further divided into a French garden to the north and an English landscape garden to the south and west. The locations of the two types of garden provide a clear sense of direction within the grounds. In addition to the lime avenues, the park also features a pond and remarkable trees.

The park also contains a collection of tree species associated with the Muséum d’histoire naturelle. These include copper beeches, Atlas cedars, Lebanon cedars, bald cypresses and Wellingtonia sequoias. You can explore the grounds both through their different garden styles and through the variety of trees listed here. Those with a particular interest in landscape design will find several distinct features: the rows of lime trees along the main axis, the division into garden areas and the collection of tree species.

Château d’Émalleville: Medieval Origins and Reconstruction

A feudal motte dating from the 11th or 12th century preceded the present château. The Château d’Émalleville was rebuilt between 1720 and 1725 by François Duvert on the ruins of a medieval manor. The château’s history therefore stretches from a medieval predecessor to its reconstruction in the 18th century. The château buildings and gardens are listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments.

The interiors also reflect 18th-century design: the drawing rooms and bedrooms face south, and feature wood panelling and trompe-l’œil decoration. Together with the reconstruction history, these details offer another perspective on the château: its architectural history concerns not only the exterior but also the design of its interiors. This description of the architecture does not imply that the interiors are open to visitors.

Notre-Dame: Building Phases and History

The Church of Notre-Dame offers another perspective on Émalleville’s architectural history. Its nave dates from the late 11th century and was altered in the 16th century; the choir dates from the 18th century. The church was dedicated to Notre-Dame in 1520. Its different parts thus reflect several periods rather than a single phase of construction.

The church’s history also includes changes in its use and preservation: in the 19th century, it was sold and used for agricultural purposes. The municipality bought it back in 1856 and subsequently secured the building in stages. For travellers interested in cultural history, this development adds the building’s eventful history to the story told by its architectural forms.

Walking and Visit Planning

The GR® 222 – Entre Eure et Iton long-distance footpath is a designated walking route in Émalleville. If you would like to include a walking route in your travel plans alongside the architectural and garden history, this named trail is another relevant focus. It is a separate walking option alongside the town’s cultural attractions.

The park of the Château d’Émalleville is open to the public in July and August, as well as during the « Rendez-vous aux jardins » in June and the Journées du patrimoine in September. As seasonal access information may change, check the park’s current access arrangements before your visit. This will help you plan around the dates mentioned and weigh a visit to the park against your other travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Gouville, Conches-En-Ouche, Saint-Mards-De-Fresne, Tourville-La-Campagne, Saint-Georges-du-Vièvre, Campigny, Vernon, Corneville-Sur-Risle.

For the regional travel overview: Eure.