We highly recommend a visit to Château de Boutemont, nestled in a small village in Normandy. Combining charm and tradition, its lush gardens offer a pleasant interlude. We loved discovering the estate and its rich history.
Check out our useful tips and photos to help you plan your visit!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to Château de Boutemont worthwhile?
In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful châteaux in Normandy! Its architecture is reminiscent of the half-timbered houses typical of the region. The castle is bordered by 4 small towers, remnants of the Middle Ages. Although there are only a few rooms to visit, the estate is well worth the detour. This charming historic monument took us back to another era. We were totally enchanted by its remarkable gardens!
What you can see
The feudal motte
We began our visit with a stroll around the motte féodale. Today, it’s just a grass-covered hill with a bench at its summit. However, it is likely that around the year 1000, the lord of Boutemont built a fortified motte about 100m from the present castle.
The postern and drawbridge
A former medieval fortress, the château boasts some remarkable architectural features, including a postern and drawbridge. We learned that a postern was a door built into a fortified wall. It dates back to the time of Henri IV.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Historic trade fairs
After passing through the postern, we headed for the interior landscaped areas. We discovered a Gothic salon and an enigmatic room. With its massive wooden table and upholstered chairs, we suspect it once hosted esoteric gatherings.
The gallery
On our way to the gallery, we discovered the château’s charming inner courtyard. This space highlights the work of Achille Duchêne, the landscape designer of the Boutemont gardens. In this room, we were intrigued by the Germanic ceramic stove hidden in a recess in the wall.
The elf’s hut
In this hut lives the gardening elf, who guides children aged 6 to 12 in a magical exploration of gardens. Along the way, he encourages them to solve riddles while following a specially designed course for parents.
The water mirror
Imagined and designed by Achille Duchêne, the water basin dates back to the 1920s. It offers a breathtaking view of the castle. We gazed at the moving reflection of the historic monument.
Apple blossom avenue
We recommend exploring the estate in spring to discover the apple trees in blossom. At the end of the driveway, you’ll find a bench surrounded by roses, enhancing the overall picture. During our visit, the trees were green and bushy, but not yet colorful.
The 5 atmospheric gardens
The site is home to 5 gardens with very different atmospheres. We were won over by the harmony of the white garden, intrigued by the scarlet hues of the purple garden, and soothed by the Zen garden.
The chapel
Wandering around the estate, we came across a small chapel. It was erected in 1880 and dedicated to Saint-Lubin. It houses the tomb of Pauline Bouteiller, the chatelaine of Boutemont.
The garden of love
To the south of the château lies the Garden of Love. It lives up to its name with pretty flowerbeds and an angel sculpture. We then concluded our tour of the site with a visit to the souvenir store featuring local produce.
WHERE TO STAY IN Deauville
Option 1: downtown
For easy access to the beach, beautiful downtown and restaurants… We recommend..:
- Hotel Villa Augeval with its charming manor houses – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Le Patio for good value – see prices, photos and availability
- And for luxury, Hôtel Le Normandy is a must – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: in the countryside
Less than 15 minutes from Deauville, you can enjoy a peaceful stay surrounded by greenery. We recommend..:
- Hotel Les Manoirs de Tourgeville – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Trouville
On the other side of the harbor is the twin town of Trouville, also with beautiful villas but a more relaxed atmosphere. We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Flaubert, les pieds dans le sable – see prices, pictures and availability
Château de Boutemont in Ouilly-le-Vicomte: how to get there
Where is the castle?
- In the Calvados department in Normandy,
- In the small village of Ouilly-le-Vicomte,
- 7 Chemin de Bouttemont,
- 10min drive from Lisieux,
- 15min drive from Pont-l’Évêque,
- 30min drive from Deauville.
Access by car and parking
To reach the château, take the A13 freeway, then exit at Pont-l’Évêque. You will then take the D579 towards Lisieux, and join the Route de Deauville. To make sure you don’t miss it, there’s a small fork in the road on your right, signposted “Ouilly-le-Vicomte”.
There’s plenty of free parking, with disabled spaces closer to the entrance. We also noticed a bike rack.
Public transport access
Bus line 50 serves Ouilly-le-Vicomte. The stop is a 7-minute walk from the castle, but you’ll be more restricted in terms of timetables. Find out more about the Normandy mobility network here.
Visiting difficulties
The site is equipped with disabled-friendly toilets and reserved parking spaces. The ticket office is wheelchair accessible. Some parts of the estate are not accessible, however, as you have to take the stairs. The driveways are paved with gravel, which makes moving around more complex.
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- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
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- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
Visiting Boutemont Castle: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm from April 6,
- Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, April 27 to September 29,
- Saturday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm from October 5 to October 13.
The crêperie only opens on April 27.
Price:
- Adults: €10,
- Children (under 6): free.
Check out the official website for the latest news here.
For how long?
Allow 1 to 2 hours to visit the château and its verdant exterior. If the weather is fine, we recommend you take a book with you. How about settling down on a bench and letting yourself be transported by a beautiful story in this haven of peace?
Best moment
Nestled in Ouilly-le-Vicomte, a small village in the Calvados region, the Château de Boutemont remains little-visited due to its location. However, the summer season remains the busiest. To take full advantage of this site and admire the flowering plants, visit in spring or September. We also recommend going in the middle of the afternoon for a snack, as the tearoom is charming!
Direction of visit
There’s no set direction for exploring the site. Let yourself be carried away by the elegant pathways. For our part, we began by exploring the motte féodale, then the château, before wandering through the gardens and apple tree alley. We couldn’t resist having a snack in the tearoom before we left!
Visiting with children
The château offers a special tour for children. They’ll follow the gardening elf around the site with the help of a game booklet. You can also pick up bags of food at reception, so your little ones can have fun feeding the fish on the estate.
Eating out
The estate has a tearoom-crêperie where we enjoyed a snack. You’ll find tables in the outdoor greenhouse, as well as on the terrace and inside the venue.
Picnics are permitted on site. We saw some tables on the side of the apple tree avenue.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
