Villers-Châtel Castle

Villers-Châtel Castle, locally known as Château de Villers-Châtel, lies in the village of the same name, in the Pas-de-Calais department in France.

Villers-Châtel Castle was first mentioned in 1269. In 1414 it was mentioned as an important stronghold, owned by the Lord of Gournai; Colard de Habarcq, during the siege of the nearby city of Arras. The De Habarcq family owned the castle until the mid-16th century.

In 1747 the castle was bought by a Nicolas Mazel de Leval. In 1750 he demolished the castle, with exception of the present circular tower, and built a new building against the medieval tower.

After it was sold again, at the end of the 18th century, the castle passed through several hands before being acquired, in 1860, by a Victor de Florimond. In 1885 the castle was rebuilt under the Belgian architect Baron Béthune d'Ydewalle, brother-in-law of Maurice de Florimond, in a Gothic Revival style. He built the present gallery, against the facade of the 18th century wing, an extra wing and the square tower at the junction of the two wings.

During the First World War, the castle served as an infirmary. It was occupied by the Germans and the British during World War II.

At present Villers-Châtel Castle is privately owned but regularly cultural events are organized within the castle grounds. When I visited, I spoke to the present owner, a nice man, who told me that a chambre d'hote with a room in the medieval tower would be opened in the very near future.

Gallery