Site du château de Regnéville sur Mer
©Site du château de Regnéville sur Mer|Département de la Manche

The site of Regnéville castle

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The site of Regneville Castle

From the 14th century, thanks to the proximity of the dry port, Regnéville Castle saw its influence rise, to the detriment of the old castle in Montchaton situated upstream along the estuary of the Sienne. Unlike most castles of the Middle Ages built on high ground, Regnéville Castle is constructed at the bottom of a slope, at sea level.

A site with its “feet in the water”

The castle is primitively built on a rocky plane bordered by dunes to the south and an ancient cliff with a gentle slope to the north. It is on this cliff that the town and church of Regnéville were constructed. The rocks of the plane are easily extracted sandstone or reddish conglomerate, used directly in the construction of the castle.

Eglise Et Chateau De Regnéville © S. LechartierEglise Et Chateau De Regnéville © S. Lechartier
©Eglise Et Chateau De Regnéville © S. Lechartier|S Lechartier

    Peacetime defence for the port and town

    From the end of the 12th century, the dry harbour of Regnéville was a bustling commercial port. In addition to a peak of activity during the Montmartin Fair, there was port traffic all year round, with ships coming from neighbouring provinces such as Maine and Brittany as well as Europe with Spain, England, the Netherlands and Hanseatic towns of the North Sea and the Baltics. Some of the taxes on merchandise arriving in the port assured the building, maintenance and defence of the castle. The remainder constituted the income of the Lord of the area.

     

    > Why is Regnéville Castle easily open to attack by troops coming from inland ?
    Answer : Its low position means it is dominated by the troops and artillery attacking from inland.

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