Once upon a time there was a chateau in Boulonnais… A bridge between France and Great Britain
Medieval castle mentioned in 1194, the Hardelot castle was built on the model of those of Boulogne-sur-Mer and Montreuil and provided with a real defensive function.
Reinforced in the 15th century to face the attacks of the English, it became royal possession under Louis XI and welcomed in the 16th century Henri VIII and François Ier.
A stake in power between the two monarchs, it was destroyed in 1615 after the assault launched by Marie de Médicis to dislodge the Protestant occupiers.
Rebuilt on ruins from 1865 by several English owners wishing to give it a neotudor style, it passed into the hands of John Whitley in 1898, a creator of the seaside resort of Hardelot-Plage which made it a worldly place.
Inhabited by various owners in the 20th century, it was acquired by the city of Condette in 1986 and then by the Department of Pas-de-Calais which completely rehabilitated it in 2009 with a view to reopening to the public. By giving it the identity of Cultural Center of the Entente Cordiale, the Department promotes Franco-British history and allows everyone to vibrate, to dream, to know the emotions that only the encounter with such a place and such life can provide.
With an exceptional neo-Gothic interior, it has been enriched since 2016 by the construction, at the edge of the gardens, of the only Elizabethan theater in France (Studio Andrew Todd) on the model of circular theaters from the time of Shakespeare and a temporary exhibition space adjoining the château. Covering 150 m², this room meets all of the optimal standards for the presentation and conservation of works. For the Department of Pas-de-Calais, this space aims to offer the public regularly renewed, open and contemporary themes, but also to deal in depth with an era or an artistic field …
For all information: Hours, prices, events, all you need to do is consult the Château d’Hardelot website www.chateau-hardelot.fr