Who designed the castle's gatehouse?

The gatehouse is attributed to François Gabriel, master mason of Argentan, renowned in the late 16th century for his command of construction techniques, including alternating materials and polychrome effects.

What remains from the 14th century?

The medieval enclosure of the 14th century forms the foundation of the fortress. It was reinforced and reconfigured in the 16th and 17th centuries as a Huguenot stronghold.

Are the corner towers intact?

No, the four corner towers have lost their original roofing, though their defensive features including brattice and machicolations remain.

Château de La Forêt-Auvray

Forêt-Auvray Castle

Putanges-le-Lac

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Putanges-le-Lac

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Open within 20 km

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Château de La Forêt-Auvray stands in Putanges-le-Lac (Orne), in the Normandie region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 16th century, 17th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

Built in the 16th century upon the foundations of a 14th-century fortress, Château de La Forêt-Auvray stands in Putanges-le-Lac, Orne. Its quadrangular enclosure, flanked by four corner towers, retains features of its military past: machicolations, brattice and gun ports. The gatehouse, attributed to master mason François Gabriel, interweaves stone and brick and exemplifies his architectural mastery in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

What to know

The entire enclosure, towers, gatehouse and moats have been classified as historic monuments since 2002.
The main building, mill and access lane were added to the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 2001.
The four corner towers of the Huguenot fortress lack their original roofs.
The enclosure features a wooden bridge crossing the curtain wall.
The main building retains its 16th-century foundations despite 19th-century alterations.

Where this château is

Putanges-le-Lac · Orne · Normandie

Map of the area around Château de La Forêt-Auvray

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Putanges-le-Lac, Orne

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

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA61000027
Period of construction: 16th century, 17th century

Itineraries

Normandy castles in 2 days from Caen

Frequently asked

Who designed the castle's gatehouse?: The gatehouse is attributed to François Gabriel, master mason of Argentan, renowned in the late 16th century for his command of construction techniques, including alternating materials and polychrome effects.
What remains from the 14th century?: The medieval enclosure of the 14th century forms the foundation of the fortress. It was reinforced and reconfigured in the 16th and 17th centuries as a Huguenot stronghold.
Are the corner towers intact?: No, the four corner towers have lost their original roofing, though their defensive features including brattice and machicolations remain.