Situated 20 minutes from the Picardy Coast in the "Vimeu Vert", the Château de Rambures estate – a listed monument since 1840 – is a unique architectural ensemble .

It comprises:
• A XVth century feudal fortress built during the Hundred Years War and represented in the "France Miniature" park.
• A 10 ha English-style park with XVIIth and XVIIIth century outbuildings as well as a XIXth century chapel.

The fortified castle, the building of which was conceived in 1412 by David de Rambures, The "Lord of Rambures" in Shakespeare's "Henry V" and Grand Master of the Crossbowmen of France, is an intact specimen of military architecture from the end of the Middle Ages.

It escaped the total destruction of private forteresses, ordered by Cardinal de Richelieu, thanks to Charles de Rambures, known as the "Brave Rambures", who saved Henry IV's life at the Battle of Ivry (1590) and who was a loyal servant of Louis XIII.

Owned by the Rambures (whose name appears from 1058) since its construction in 1430 by André de Rambures, son of David, the Castle has been modified down the ages, without altering its general look, which gives it its great architectural unity.

The building, half buried to better withstand artillery fire, is composed of four large round towers connected by half-towers. Their brick walls are 3 to 7 metres thick. The superb cellars and vaults enabled them to house an entire garrison. The Castle's interior bears witness to a succession of eras; you can see fine Picardy furniture from the XVth, XVIth and XVIIth centuries and the bedroom where Henry IV stayed in 1589, on his way to win Arques, .

A model of XVth century military architecture
This castle is the most perfect model of XVth century military architecture in Picardy.

On the borders of two powerful provinces, Picardy and Normandy, the Château Fort de Rambures hides behind a screen of woods which crown the hills of the Bresle. The compact-looking castle is composed of four round towers regularly spaced and connected by slightly-rounded curtain walls.

As distinct from many other fortresses, Rambures, which did not have to defend any strategic point, was not built on a man-made mound. It was buried to better withstand enemy fire.

Its principal original feature lies in its specially adapted layout for the use of the artillery:
• the walls are at least 3.50 m thick, sometimes 6, and built with gunholes;
• they are not made of local stone but of brick, which provides better defence against cannonballs; the Château Fort de Rambures was the first brick and stone castle in France!
• the outside walls are convex to deflect the full force of projectiles.

The wooden bridge supported by a brick pillar, gives access to the castle. It replaced the old drawbridge which was destroyed by order of Cardinal de Richelieu.

The courtyard, although modified in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries, has kept its original style. Originally there were only high brick walls with small windows and loopholes for the archers. The entrance of the main building was also fortified and a second drawbridge protected the gate. Wide ramps led down to the immense vaulted cellars, which could house, in case of attack, an entire garrison with weaponry and could potentially serve as a refuge for the villages and their livestock.

These rooms were connected by wide doors, except one, that of the north-west tower; this is the dungeon. Apart from the dungeon, the other cellars were connected to the upper floors by four spiral staircases situated in each of the towers.

The rooms on these floors were all turned into living quarters in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries. Each room is worth a close look.

The Guardroom houses, beneath a Louis XIII ceiling, the coats of arms, painted or carved on panelling, of the families allied to the Rambures and La Roche Fontenilles families. XVIth and XVIIth century chests and furniture stand against the walls.

The dining room was built in the Neo-Gothic style. Two XVIIIth century stained-glass windows light up the panelling, which is a replica of that in Arques church.

The king's bedroom is known as the "King Henry IV bedroom". The latter liked to rest there after stopping at Rambures during the battles he was fighting in the region (Arques, Ivry, etc...).

The main living room is decorated with painted panelling and stucco, which cover up the original walls. A mosaic parquet floor has replaced the original floor. Every parquet floor in the castle is different. The furniture comes from different periods: Louis XIII and Louis XV armchairs, XVIIIth century Italian furniture, but also Chinese vases and Venetian glass chandeliers.

A large wooden staircase with straight banisters built in the XVIIIth century gives access to the parapet walk which, in the XVth century, formed a continuous passage around the castle. It was here that the archers and crossbowmen were positioned when the castle was under attack.

Above the main living room is the library, converted in the XIXth century and housing a great many old books as well as an interesting portrait gallery. On the upper floor you can access an alcove bedroom, the Romantic Bedroom, converted in the XVIIIth century. This room known as the "Marquess' Bedroom" belonged to Marie de Rambures, wife of Charles whose bedroom was situated just above and connected to it by a concealed stairway behind the partition.

The old walls come to life
Since 1984, a year-round programme of interesting events has brought the castle to life: exhibitions are held mostly in the huge vaulted cellars of the castle not usually open to the public but which on these occasions you have the chance to explore: stamp exhibitions and postcard sales, Vieux Métiers (old trades) days when artists and craftsmen, glass-blowers, coppersmiths and cabinetmakers recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages from the time when the castle was the focal point of the village and the surrounding area. This exhibition is usually held in May.

Every year, on 15 August, the fête de la Vierge (Feast of the Virgin) is held in the castle grounds.

Mecca of French history
It was in 1058 that the name of "Rambures" first appeared, when Anson de Rambures attended the plenary court held by King Henry I in Cambrai.

From the XIVth century onwards, the Lords of Rambures saw their role go beyond the limits of Ponthieu and occupy high-ranking positions, notably during the Hundred Years War.

In 1412, David de Rambures, France's Grand Master of Crossbowmen, the highest military honour of the time, decided to build a new castle at Rambures. However, he was killed along with 3 of his 4 sons during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 when the French army was crushed by the English King Henry V. He was Lord Rambures in Shakespeare's "Henry V".

André de Rambures, the sole survivor, continued to fight the Anglo-Burgundians, which led to the castle being confiscated by King Henry VI of England and its owner being held prisoner in England.

During his absence, one of his old soldiers, who was loyal to the King of France, Charles Desmarets, managed to win back the "Fort chastel de Rambures by ladder and right away", i.e. by climbing the walls and surprising the occupants. From Rambures, he launched expeditions against the English at Rue, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Dieppe.

Having returned from England in 1436, André de Rambures with his son Jacques took part in the reconquest of the country against the English.

We are now in 1450. It was during this period of relative peace that building began of the present castle, the first brick and stone castle in France. The fortress was completed around 1470.

In the XVIth century, the Rambures continued to devote themselves to a career of arms and were the most powerful lords in Ponthieu. The most renowned of them was Charles de Rambures known as the "Brave Rambures". He received Henry IV as he was passing through Picardy on his way to win Arques and saved his life at the Battle of Ivry in 1590. Louis XIII remembered this and saved the castle from destruction, as ordered by Richelieu who wanted all feudal fortresses completely destroyed.

Charles de Rambures became a Brigadier, Colonel of the Rambures Infantry Regiment which won fame in the great wars of the XVIIth century. He took part in the siege of la Rochelle (1627-1628).

In 1676, Alexandre de Rambures, grandson of the "Brave Rambures", on his deathbed bequeathed everything he owned to his first cousin, the Marquis de la Roche Fontenilles, whose descendant is the current owner of the castle. The latter is having the castle entrance repaired and outhouses built.

In 1798, by petition from the town of Rambures, the castle which had been confiscated was returned to the family along with any property that had not been sold to the nation. The castle became a family residence.

In 1840, the Château Fort de Rambures was listed as a historic monument..

The castle was not lived in between 1940 and 1971.

In 1971, the descendants of Charles de la Roche Fontenilles decided to open the castle and its grounds to the public and undertook restoration work. In 1992 this work was almost complete and the Château Fort de Rambures can now be visited in its entirety all year round.

The park and arboretum After visiting the castle, why not visit the lovely park planted with ancient trees. Around thirty of these trees, some of them rare species, were registered in 1987 by the Amiens Forestry Management Organisation and form an arboretum. Not to be missed: the ancient Mulberry tree, almost unique in Northern France, and the Giant Sequoia, 200 years old, brought back from the United States in 1787 by the Marquis de la Roche Fontenilles. Lindens, poplars, oaks and conifers make up the rest of the arboretum. On the east side you can see the castle's outbuildings, built in the XVIIIth century, now the residence of the descendants of the Rambures-La Roche Fontenilles. In the grounds there is also a funeral chapel, the tomb of the la Roche Fontenilles, and behind this chapel the "Henry IV Pavilion", former painting studio of the Marquise de Rambures. The "Henry IV Pavilion" was recently converted. It is a reception pavilion and offers refreshments and boiled chicken during visiting times.

Practical info

Opening times
From 01/03 to 01/11: 10am - 12am & 2pm - 6pm (from 14/07 to
22/08 : 10am - 6pm). Closed on Wednesdays.
From 02/11 to 28/02: Sundays and French bank holidays (except Christmas and New Year's Day), French school holidays, 2pm to 5pm; on other days by prior appointment.

Prices
Adults: 6 €
Children: 3.50 €
Adolescents (12-16) : 4.50 €
Park only : 4.50 €

Château Fort de Rambures
8, rue du Château - 80140 Rambures
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 25 10 93 - Fax : +33 (0)3 22 25 07 88
E-mail : contact@chateaufort-rambures.com
Website : www.chateaufort-rambures.com