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Département: Manche (50)

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The original construction of Château de la Roque is attributed to Michel Hue de la Roque, the King's lawyer at St-Lô between 1588 and 1592.  He ordered the defense of St-Lô during la Ligue (the extremist Catholic League during the Wars of Religion), and then established himself in Rouen where he became counselor to Parliament.   De la Roque died in 1641, and the château changed hands several times over the centuries. The château has a remarkable dominant position over the Terrette Valley, and its location and the surrounding natural beauty attracted the Canon Moriet of Notre Dame de St-Lô in 1782.  It is said he could not resist coming here, taking long walks and enchanted by the beauty of the place, which in turn inspired his poetic works.  The family de Bonnet de Maureilhan de Pohles owned and occupied the château from 1923 until 1969 when it was transferred to Monsieur Maurice Moulin.  One could say that they made the château habitable, adding electricity and water, although staying in it very little. 

Raymond Delisle, a racing cyclist and professional champion of France in 1969 and who was involved in twelve tours, and his wife, Mireille, completely restored the château, finding it in great need of updating when they acquired it in 1978 ~ for example, there was not one bathroom in the entire château!   Today's château, situated on 18 hectares with its own pond and river on the neabry nature reserve,  has every modern convenience while retaining its historic feel, and for all but two weeks of the year the Delisles receive guests warmly into their home. 

Offering comfortable accommodations, meals composed of local products prepared in a wood-fired oven, home-baked breads and brioche each morning, and personal attention to their guests, the family will ensure that your stay is relaxing and memorable.  Guests have a music room at their disposal and salons where they can read, relax  or play parlor games.   And, a recent addition is a Turkish bath and spa, including an exercise room!   The lake on the property is an appealing location for picnic lunches, which Madame Delisle will prepare for you.  As there is much to enjoy at the château and because one is so near charming villages, famous landmarks, and in the heart of the alluring Cotentin peninsula, a stay at Château de la Roque can only be a wise decision.

Open all year except first two weeks in January.
On the grounds:  tennis, bicycles, hiking, walking, fishing, hunting, 18 hectare park with river frontage, hot air ballooning arranged with an advanced reservation.
Vicinity:  Golf course (10 minutes) horseback riding (15 minutes), swimming pool (15 minutes), beach (30 minutes), D-Day beaches, Le Mont St-Michel, Suisse Normande, Caen (one hour), the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey (two hours).  Hot air balloon flights available.  Nearby large towns include St-Lô, Carentan (market and small marina), Villedieu-les-Poêles (the copper center of France), Avranches (Jardin des Plantes and fine restaurants), Coutances (magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral and cheese), Granville (summer resort, granite fortifications, and ferries to Îles Chausey and the channel islands of Jersey and Guernsey), Valognes (cider museum, good restaurants) and many others.

From Paris:  Take the A13 to Caen.  At Caen follow the péripherique south (left before entering the city)  and at Exit 9 take the A84 direction Avranches.  At  Exit 40 take the N174 direction St-Lô to the D972 direction Saint-Gilles.  Continue as below.

From St-Lô:  Take the D972 direction Coutances.  At Saint-Gilles take the D77 direction Pont Hébert for 3 kilometers.  Look for sign that indicates Parc du Château de la Roque.

Airport:  Caen (one hour drive from château))
Railway Station:  Caen/Lison (to and from Paris Gare St-Lazare) 
Car Rental St-Lô (click here)

Michelin Map to Château