Miromesnil Castle (Château de Miromesnil)

The Château de Miromesnil is a magnificent Renaissance castle in Normandy, renowned worldwide as the birthplace of celebrated French author Guy de Maupassant, who was born here on August 5, 1850. Originally a medieval fortress destroyed during the 1589 Battle of Arques, the castle was rebuilt between 1590-1600 by the Dyel family, creating the elegant north façade visitors admire today. The estate spans 14 hectares featuring a classified beech forest with 3,000 trees, an award-winning vegetable garden holding the prestigious 'Jardin Remarquable' label, and a 16th-century chapel where Maupassant was baptized. Guided tours lasting 1.5 hours take visitors through period-furnished rooms including the tower chamber where Maupassant was born, while the remarkable potager can be explored freely. The château is open seasonally from April to September, with the property still inhabited by descendants of the family who purchased it in 1938. Check the official website for current schedules as hours vary by month, and book guided tours in advance during peak summer months.