Beaumont-sur-Sarthe Castle

Beaumont-sur-Sarthe Castle, locally known as Château de Beaumont-sur-Sarthe, lies in the village of the same name in the Sarthe department in France.

Exactly when the castle of Beaumont-sur-Sarthe was built is unknown; but during the mid-11th century is the most accepted period. It was built on a rock overlooking an old Roman bridge over the River Sarthe by a local lord who had gained permission from the Count of Maine.

In the 2nd half of the 11th century the castle was in the midst of the conflicts between the Counts of Maine and the Dukes of Normandy. This led to the castle being attacked several times between 1062 and 1064. In 1073 it was taken by the English troops of William the Conqueror. They occupied it for a decade before it was returned to Hugh V, Count of Maine. The English returned in 1135 however and sacked the castle and village.

In the end of the 14th century the castle passed from the Beaumont family to the Alençon family through marriage or inheritance, who then became Viscounts of Beaumont, as well as being Dukes of Alençon.

In 1417, during the Hundred Years' War, Henry V of England landed with his troops in France and seized Caen, Alençon and also Beaumont. Between then and 1449 the castle was besieged, taken and retaken multiple times by French and English troops before finally the English troops were driven out.

Towards the end of the 15th century, after the Hundred Years' War, Louis XI ordered the demolition of lots of castles to avoid wars between local lords. Beaumont was thus also dismantled, but not completely destroyed. After this it was not garrisoned anymore.

In the 17th century some parts of the old castle started being used as a local prison. And although the castle was sold as National Property during the French Revolution, it kept being used as a police station and prison up until the 19th century.

The castle was sold at an auction in 1901 by the town to a Mr. Florentin. This was a private individual who consolidated it and built a mansion in 16th century Renaissance style within its walls. It has been private property ever since. The castle was occupied by German forces in 1940 who constructed an observation post on the castle's tower.

Today Beaumont-sur-Sarthe Castle is a private residence, and thus it can not be visited, sadly enough. A very nice castle, must be great to live there.

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