Dinard – Villa Eugenie
Built: 1866
Status: Public
Visitable?: No, it is for sale now
Web: None
Although this castle can not be visited on the inside, you can walk in the gardens and look around the castle on the outside. The castle is located close to one of Dinard‘s beaches.
The city had ordered the chateau to be built for the Royal couple, Napoleon III and his beautiful wife, Eugenie. They hoped that by bringing the couple to Dinard at the start of the summer season, more people would come.
However, the royal couple had a big argument about bringing Eugenie’s favorite dog to Dinard, a dog that Napoleon III hated. So instead of going to Dinard, Eugenie went alone to Biarritz and never set foot in this castle.
The original gardens have shrunk considerably. Now, it’s a small garden, with in the back a “jeu de boule” field (Petanc) and public toilets.
In front of the castle you will find a monument to the dead of the World Wars.
As you can see from the photos, the castle is in need of some TLC.
However, if you are interested, the castle is for sale. The city expects to raise €1 million for this building.
Summary
It’s not a castle you will want to go out of your way to visit, but if you are staying in Dinard, and you are walking around, it’s a nice 10 minute walk around.
Hopefully, whoever buys the castle, will make it a beautiful place again.
Related Posts
- 70
The Galleville castle at Doudeville (the linen capital of France in Upper Normandy), is an enormous Chateau built in a town full of mansions and manors belonging to the linen barons. The castle was built in 1678 and since 1769 it has belonged to the same family. Chateau (castle) Galleville… - 69
The beautiful and impressive chateau de Fiquainville is nicely hidden from onlookers, high up the hills of the Valmont valley and river. The castle was built on top of ruins of an older castle, but not much more information could be found. It was built during the 17th and… - 65
The Bretteville Castle at Bretteville-Saint-Laurent in Normandy, France is a little jewel and it can be visited. - 61
Deep in the rich and wealthy city of Sainte-Adresse, next to the city of Le Havre, there are a few luxurious "villas" from yesteryear. Many of these mansions date back to the days that wealthy people came here for their holidays, people like the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet and… - 60
Sometimes taking a wrong turn on the country roads brings you deep inland, and to some very surprising scenery. One of them, after having taken a wrong turn in Brittany was this amazing castle; the Chateau Kergrist. Hidden away from big roads, this is a castle that merits a…
