Rânes Castle

Rânes Castle, locally known as Château de Rânes, lies in the town of the same name, in the Orne department in France.

Rânes Castle was built in 1404 by Guillaume de Méheudin after he had bought a preexisting manor at this site. In 1419, during the Hundred Years' War, it was taken from Samson de Saint-Germain by Henry V of England who gave it to one of his barons, the governor of Falaise Castle; Guérard Hungh or Gérard Huyn.

During the next centuries it passed through the hands of several families.

The 2 square corner towers were added during the 16th century by Jacques d'Argouges. By 1670 it was owned by Henri d'Argouges, a lieutenant-general of Louis XIV of France, who at that time elevated the seigneury of Rânes to a marquisate.

In 1719 or 1720 the castle was ravaged by a large fire and was subsequently rebuilt by Louis d'Argouges, Marquis of Rânes. He gave the castle its present appearance. Unlike many other aristocratic mansions, the castle managed to escape serious harm during the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, although part of its archives were burned in 1789.

After the death of its last aristocratic owner; Ghislain de Berghes, in 1907, the castle and its furniture were sold to Commander Charles Richard and his son Claude.

In 1944, Rânes and its surroundings were the scene of bombardments and heavy fighting to close the southwest flank of the Falaise-Chambois pocket. The town was largely destroyed but the castle escaped from serious damage. In 1947 it was sold to the town who restored and redeveloped it into a town hall, gendarmerie barracks, and housing. At present it is still used as a town hall and a museum.

I do not know if Rânes ever was a 'true' castle, as in equipped with an enclosure and flanking towers or just a solitary tower house. 

At present the keep of Rânes Castle can be visited. The wings are in use as town hall. Sadly enough everything was closed due to renovation works when I came by. A lovely keep of which I would have loved to see the interior.

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Rânes Castle

Rânes Castle, locally known as Château de Rânes, lies in the town of the same name, in the Orne department in France.

Rânes Castle was built in 1404 by Guillaume de Méheudin after he had bought a preexisting manor at this site. In 1419, during the Hundred Years' War, it was taken from Samson de Saint-Germain by Henry V of England who gave it to one of his barons, the governor of Falaise Castle; Guérard Hungh or Gérard Huyn.

During the next centuries it passed through the hands of several families.

The 2 square corner towers were added during the 16th century by Jacques d'Argouges. By 1670 it was owned by Henri d'Argouges, a lieutenant-general of Louis XIV of France, who at that time elevated the seigneury of Rânes to a marquisate.

In 1719 or 1720 the castle was ravaged by a large fire and was subsequently rebuilt by Louis d'Argouges, Marquis of Rânes. He gave the castle its present appearance. Unlike many other aristocratic mansions, the castle managed to escape serious harm during the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century, although part of its archives were burned in 1789.

After the death of its last aristocratic owner; Ghislain de Berghes, in 1907, the castle and its furniture were sold to Commander Charles Richard and his son Claude.

In 1944, Rânes and its surroundings were the scene of bombardments and heavy fighting to close the southwest flank of the Falaise-Chambois pocket. The town was largely destroyed but the castle escaped from serious damage. In 1947 it was sold to the town who restored and redeveloped it into a town hall, gendarmerie barracks, and housing. At present it is still used as a town hall and a museum.

I do not know if Rânes ever was a 'true' castle, as in equipped with an enclosure and flanking towers or just a solitary tower house. 

At present the keep of Rânes Castle can be visited. The wings are in use as town hall. Sadly enough everything was closed due to renovation works when I came by. A lovely keep of which I would have loved to see the interior.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 2101