Jumilly Castle

Jumilly Castle, also known locally as Château du Diable or Château de Jumilly, is a historic medieval fortress located north of Domfront in the Orne department of France. This castle, perched on a partly moated island, is a notable example of high medieval fortification architecture from the 13th century, though its precise founding date remains uncertain. The castle's evocative nickname, "Castle of the Devil," is tied to several local legends that have enriched its cultural heritage over the centuries.

The earliest documentary evidence of the House of Jumilly dates back to the mid-13th century, establishing the family's presence in the region during the high medieval period. However, the castle itself was first described in detail much later, in the 17th century, providing a vivid account of its layout and structural features.

Architectural layout and features

The castle was accessed through an avenue lined with magnificent elm trees leading to an iron gate opening into the first courtyard. This courtyard was enclosed by defensive walls and contained essential service buildings: on the right were the stables and a garden entrance, while on the left stood the concierge's lodging. Two parallel and contiguous drawbridges connected this outer courtyard to the main square courtyard, which was fortified by thick walls and flanked by large towers, emphasizing the castle's defensive capabilities.

The main residential building was situated at the rear of the courtyard, rising two stories high and overlooking a pond. The ground floor housed the kitchen, storage rooms, and a cellar. A sturdy stone staircase led to the first floor, which featured a large hall flanked by a bedroom on the right and a company room and dining room on the left. The second floor contained an antechamber with a bedroom and cabinet on the left, and two bedrooms with separate cabinets on the right. The third floor, with sloping ceilings, was likely reserved for castle personnel.

Adjacent to these buildings, on an island between the main courtyard's perimeter wall and the garden, stood the chapel. Access was exclusively via a footbridge connecting it to the castle. The chapel's door lintel bore an escutcheon with the arms of Barré de Jumilly, suggesting significant restoration or construction activity in the early 17th century, possibly under the direction of Henri I de Jumilly (Barré).

Historical context and decline

During the French Revolution, Jumilly Castle was abandoned and suffered extensive looting. By 1854, it had fallen into ruin, with a farm established within its walls. Subsequently, the castle's stones were quarried by locals for inexpensive building materials, further contributing to its dilapidation. Today, only a fragment of one corner tower remains on the moated island, a silent witness to its former grandeur.

Legends and folklore

The castle's nickname, Château du Diable, or "Castle of the Devil," is associated with several intriguing legends that date back to the early 18th century. One tale tells of a destitute lord who attempted to sell the soul of his unborn child to the devil in exchange for money. His wife overheard the pact and cleverly intervened, demanding that the lord sell his own soul instead, with a delay based on the burning of a blessed candle thrown into the moat. The devil, unable to claim the candle, departed in anger. The lord died of shock, and the devil returned to claim his body as compensation.

Another story recounts a lord who, during a lively party, exclaimed, "May the Devil take me!" This curse was immediately fulfilled, and the remaining guests were said to be entombed within the castle walls. A third legend involves a white sheep that entered the ruins and returned blackened, its wool bearing the mark of a fiery hand, symbolizing the devil's touch.

These legends are linked to Christophe Alexandre, Lord of La Rivière, who owned the castle in the early 18th century. Deeply indebted, he reportedly died there in 1729. Local lore claims he escaped death by substituting a tree trunk in his coffin, which when discovered, convinced villagers that the devil had taken him away.

Visiting jumilly castle today

Currently, the remains of Jumilly Castle are accessible to the public free of charge. Visitors can explore the small ruins and appreciate the site's historical ambiance. The nearby Domfront Castle offers additional insight into medieval fortifications in the region.