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A historic castle in the heart of Pas-de-Calais, on the Opal Coast
"Standing apart from the centuries-old trees, the flattering silhouette of La Caloterie speaks to us of another time, when the prestige of a building was manifested by its vertical design..."
Excerpt from Manor House in the Green
Nestled in the hinterland of the Opal Coast , in La Caloterie (62170) , the Château de la Caloterie overlooks the Canche valley , near Montreuil-sur-Mer . This place steeped in history bears witness to several centuries of architecture, traditions and significant events in the Pas-de-Calais region .
The origins of the Château de la Caloterie
Before the development of renowned seaside resorts such as Le Touquet-Paris-Plage , Berck-sur-Mer , Merlimont or Stella-Plage , the La Caloterie estate was an elegant hunting lodge , resembling asmall 18th century castle.
The castle was built in 1803 , in chalk stone , by Louis Claude Florent Siriez de Longeville , captain of the royal grenadiers of Picardy. Around the main residence, outbuildings and farm buildings were then arranged, forming a harmonious and functional whole.
Expansion and architecture in the 19th century
In 1865 , François Adolphe Arthur Siriez de Longeville , grandson of the founder, undertook a major transformation of the estate. He had a large Louis XIII style pavilion built, while preserving part of the original building, attached to the new structure.
The work was directed by the architect Lavezzari , renowned for his work in the region. The castle was designed to last, with:
- Rooms with high ceilings ,
- A distinctly vertical architecture,
- A steeply pitched roof ,
- Of theslender chimneys and elegant dormer windows .
This architecture still gives the castle a natural majesty today, ideal for entertaining and impressing.
The Château Park – A remarkable natural heritage
An exceptional 35-hectare park was laid out around the castle, combining an English-style park , woods and pastures , offering open views of the valley.
Among the notable trees on the estate are:
- Old purple beech trees , plane trees and linden trees
- A group of bald cypress trees with aerial roots called pneumatophores
- A ginkgo biloba tree approximately 150 years old
- Three majestic sequoias
This wooded heritage makes the castle a true haven of biodiversity on the Opal Coast.
The Castle during the wars
World War I
In 1917 , the Château de la Caloterie was leased to the British Army . It was occupied by an English admiral , who carefully maintained the property during this period.
World War II
In 1940 , the castle was invaded again. Requisitioned by the German army , it became a strategic command center due to its commanding position overlooking the Canche valley. Casemates and machine-gun nests were installed in the surrounding woods, as the Pas-de-Calais was then considered a key location for the Allied landings.
In June 1944 , without any military necessity, the occupiers dynamited the castle's attic before leaving the premises. They also shot down the last royal swan in the pond below.
Renaissance and restoration of the Castle
To theFollowing the Liberation, Madame Clothilde Siriez de Longeville , grandmother of the current owners, reclaimed the estate. With the help of her son, she undertook a complete restoration , restoring the castle to its former glory and prestige.
The polygonal part of the roof, however, lost its bell tower , formerly topped with a lightning rod, a vestige of the past that has now disappeared.
The Castle Today – Memory and Serenity
Today, the Château de la Caloterie still watches over the Canche valley , surrounded by woods and marshes . The white swan gliding on the pond has become the symbol of continuity, tradition, and the secrets still held by this historic residence.
This unique place in Pas-de-Calais , between heritage, nature and memory , now welcomes visitors in search of authenticity, calm and charm.
Why discover the history of the Château de la Caloterie?
- ✔ Historic castle on the Opal Coast
- ✔ Architectural heritage of Pas-de-Calais
- ✔ Remarkable wooded park
- ✔ Close to Montreuil-sur-Mer , Le Touquet and the Canche Valley
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