Can you visit the Château d'Olivet freely?

Yes, the site is freely accessible year round from the Chêne Guillot car park.

Are there standing buildings at the Château d'Olivet?

No, only the remains of a motte castle survive, with consolidated walls and reconstructed timber elements, not an intact building.

What is the origin of the Château d'Olivet?

It is a feudal motte built in the first half of the 11th century, owned by Erneis Taisson.

Is the site accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?

The uneven, wooded terrain is not suited to visitors with reduced mobility.

Château d'Olivet

Olivet Castle

Grimbosq

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Grimbosq

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

This week in the agenda

Concert du groupe Courseval au château de CreullySun, Nov 8 · château de Creully28 km

Château d'Olivet stands in Grimbosq (Calvados), in the Normandie region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 11th century). No visits are on record for this building.

In the forest of Grimbosq, the remains of the Château d'Olivet form an 11th century motte castle, one of the best documented earth and timber fortifications in Normandy thanks to archaeological excavations carried out there. The site sits on a rocky spur overlooking the Orne river, at the junction of two streams, a location chosen to control the river crossing. Visitors can make out the central motte, once topped by a watchtower, and two baileys that held the lord's residence, a chapel, a forge and stables. An information panel and an orientation table help visitors understand the site.

Written from Château d'Olivet

What to know

The site lies within the Grimbosq forest and is reached on foot from the Chêne Guillot car park, a few hundred metres away on the RD 257 road.
Access is free and possible year round, with no set opening hours.
The visit involves walking over wooded, uneven ground, with no facilities for visitors with reduced mobility.
Only earthworks, dry stone remains and reconstructed timber elements survive, not a standing castle in the traditional sense.
No verified information is available regarding admission fees, opening hours or on site staff.

Where this château is

Grimbosq · Calvados · Normandie

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

14220 Grimbosq

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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3.9 / 5from 7 Google reviews

Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00111378
Period of construction: 11th century

Itineraries

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you visit the Château d'Olivet freely?: Yes, the site is freely accessible year round from the Chêne Guillot car park.
Are there standing buildings at the Château d'Olivet?: No, only the remains of a motte castle survive, with consolidated walls and reconstructed timber elements, not an intact building.
What is the origin of the Château d'Olivet?: It is a feudal motte built in the first half of the 11th century, owned by Erneis Taisson.
Is the site accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?: The uneven, wooded terrain is not suited to visitors with reduced mobility.