Don’t miss the Château de Martainville in Normandy. It has a fairytale feel, with its elegant architecture, symmetrical towers and superb “garden regained“. It also houses the Musée des Traditions et Arts Normands.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to Château de Martainville.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Château de Martainville?
Is the castle worth it? Our opinion:
This Norman château is well worth a visit, if only for its beautiful architecture. We really liked the original interior layout, with its central corridor, large rooms on either side and small adjoining spaces in the towers. The museum it houses is a plunge into rural Norman life through the centuries. A visit to the wild gardens at the rear of the château also offers magnificent views of the building.
It’s one of the most beautiful châteaux in Normandy. It is listed as a Historic Monument.
Why is Château de Martainville famous?
The château owes its renown to three major factors:
- Firstly, it represents a remarkable example ofEarly Renaissance architecture in Normandy.
- It also houses the Musée des Traditions et Arts Normands, with its exceptional collections of Upper Normandy furniture, textiles and regional costumes from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
- Finally, its Renaissance-inspired garden recreates a forgotten atmosphere.
Our favorite moments
- Discover the “garden regained”, a peaceful setting with a deceptively wild character.
- Explore the museum’s rich collections, which tell the story of life in the past.
- Theenchanting architecture of the castle with its four towers – a real princess’s castle!
History in brief
The château was built in 1485 for Jacques Le Pelletier, a shipowner and merchant from Rouen. It represents a remarkable example of Early Renaissance architecture in Normandy. In 1510, it was transformed into a pleasure residence by Le Pelletier’s nephew. Today, it houses the Musée des Traditions et Arts Normands (Museum of Norman Arts and Traditions ), which retraces daily life in Normandy from the 16th to the 19th century.
WHERE TO STAY IN Rouen
Option 1: in the old town center
A charming historic heart, museums and attractions around every corner… We recommend..:
- Gustave Flaubert Literary Hotel with lots of quotes – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hôtel de Bourghteroulde set in a 16th-century residence – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 2: near the station
Just a 10-minute walk from the historic center, you’ll find more modern options. We recommend..:
- Blu Radisson Hotel next to the Jeanne d’Arc Tower – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel de Dieppe Best Western and its Art-deco ambience – see prices, photos and availability
Access and map: Château de Martainville in Martainville-Épreville
Where is Château de Martainville?
- In the Seine-Maritime village of Martainville-Épreville
- Driving time from Rouen: 30min
- Here’s a map of Normandy castles to help you find your way around:
How to get there?
Due to its rural location, the car remains the most practical means of accessing the castle.
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.
Parking
The château has a large parking lot next to the entrance.
A disabled parking space is available near the common areas for easy access to the museum.
Two spaces are also reserved for buses.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
For the best possible visit, we advise you to come between April and September, when opening times are longer (10am-12.30pm and 2pm-6pm). The gardens are particularly pleasant during this period.
Length of visit and main difficulties
- Allow about 1 hour.
- The castle has 28 rooms spread over several levels, so it takes some time to explore everything properly.
- They are accessible by stairs, so wheelchair access is only possible on the museum’s first floor.
Advice on how to visit
On our visit, we first visited the museum before strolling through the gardens and courtyard. But you can also do the opposite.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
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Visiting with children
- A booklet-game is available for 7-12 year-olds, and a children’s audioguide offers a fun way to explore the site.
- The château offers a wide range of activities for children during the school vacations, as well as on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Schedules and rates
The castle is open:
- April 1 to September 30: 10am-12.30pm and 2pm-6pm (Sundays 2pm-6.30pm)
- October 1 to March 31: 10am-12.30pm and 2pm-5pm (Sundays 2pm-5.30pm)
Closed on Tuesdays.
Adult price: €5. Find out more here.
Guided tours
Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Dutch and Italian to enhance your visit.
Catering
There are plenty of picnic areas in the château grounds.
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Outside, all the charm of a Norman home
In the garden: elegant architecture and the “garden regained” setting
Restored in 2014, the garden at Château de Martainville is a real gem. We loved its Renaissance inspiration and its wild yet disciplined allure. It blends perfectly with the architecture of the château. The gardeners have succeeded in recreating the atmosphere of period gardens while preserving the authenticity of the site. The perspectives are carefully thought out and offer some very pretty views of the castle.
The inner courtyard and its outbuildings
On the courtyard side, we discovered several outbuildings. They form a typical architectural ensemble, organized around a vast lawn.
There’s also a dovecote, a carriage house, stables and a bread oven. The caged well completes the ensemble. These outbuildings, essential to the running of the estate, provide an insight into the organization of seigneurial life.
Inside, an immersion in the life of yesteryear
Kitchen and dining room: recreating everyday life on the first floor
On the first floor, we were impressed by the faithful recreation of everyday living spaces. The traditional Normandy kitchen caught our eye in particular, with its period utensils and typical layout bearing witness to ancient culinary practices.
In the adjoining dining room, you’ll discover beautiful antique furniture illustrating the Norman art of living through the centuries. These pieces bear precious witness to the furniture of the period and the domestic traditions of the local nobility.
Rooms and reconstructions: living scenes on the 1st and 2nd floors
On the second floor, we gained a better understanding of the château’s ingenious circulation system, which gives access to independent rooms, each telling a different story of daily life in Normandy.
We appreciated the clear organization of the rooms. This original layout allows a gradual immersion into the intimacy of the premises. The visitor experience is fluid and coherent, helping to better understand theevolution of lifestyles over the centuries.
3rd floor: cultural heritage and the art of celebration
The top floor of the château held our interest with its thematic presentation of Norman regional costumes. We were fascinated by the evolution of outfits from the 18th century to the dawn of the 20th century, and the manufacture of textiles.
The section dedicated to Norman festivals and traditions is fascinating. We were very interested in the collection of antique musical instruments. Don’t forget to consult the museum’s cultural program, which is enriched during the festive season, especially at Christmas, with exceptional concerts.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
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- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
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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…
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
