Créé par Emilie, le 1 juil. 2026
Votre guide Ryo
Discover the Miromesnil Estate Near Dieppe
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Welcoming countryside setting, refined and historic atmosphere, graceful architecture, nature galore: welcome to the Miromesnil estate!
This charming address located on the borders of the Norman coast and the Pays de Caux is both an inspiring and peaceful place that 30,000 visitors choose to discover each year.
You're curious to know why. So no time to waste! Scroll down the page, absorb the content and above all don't miss the "preparing your visit" section to discover the pleasures of an enchanting getaway just 5 km from Dieppe!
A place steeped in history...
Near Dieppe, sheltered by a tall forest, in the heart of the Pays de Caux, lies hidden an estate that gracefully propels you out of time, in the footsteps of the great men who lived there. Its name: the Miromesnil estate!
Originally, which takes us back to the 12th century, Miromesnil was nothing more or less than a fortified castle. It was destroyed in 1589, following the Battle of Arques opposing the Catholic League of the Duke of Mayenne against the Protestant royalist army of Henri IV.
In the 16th century, while the land was covered with ruins, a certain Jacques Dyel had a residential castle built there. He was the lord of Miromesnil as well as the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of Louis XVI. It is actually to this man that we owe the drafting of the decree on the abolition of preparatory torture in prisons. In short, as you will have understood, he was no ordinary man!
From 1796 to 1895, the castle expanded at its extremities and at least 3 different owners passed the keys around. Including one that everyone knows, but whom we'll tell you about very soon. Patience...
In 1938, a new chapter opened with the purchase of the estate by Bertrand de Vogüé, who was none other than the ancestor of the current owner Nathalie Romatet, who has been embarked on the château adventure since 2004 with her partner Jean-Christophe.
... And anecdotes...
Whether little known or popular, the Miromesnil estate's nods to the History of France (and beyond) are the kind of juicy detail that makes the address even more special.
If we mention "Boule de Suif," "Le Horla," or "Bel-Ami," which personality should immediately come to your mind? It can and must only be Guy de Maupassant. The man, what am I saying, the most translated French writer in the world through his 300 tales, short stories, novels, travel accounts... Very well, but what's the connection with the Norman address?
Photo Château de Miromesnil Facebook Page
Well, it's here, at the Miromesnil estate, that this leading figure of literature was born on August 5, 1850. He and his parents would be the happy tenants of the castle until 1853. Moreover, some of the mansion's salons still honor his memory.
For there to have been a Miromesnil estate, there had to be the Marquis de Miromesnil. An amiable, honest noble generous to the people, but mediocre in business and unlucky in love. To stop his wife's dalliances with her lovers at Versailles, he sent his lady to stay 1 year in a convent with only personal effects: a silver cup, a plate and cutlery.
When the marchioness left in 1787, the couple no longer spoke to each other and avoided any opportunity to meet. Even deceased, the marquis deprived her of any inheritance by leaving her only this trio of belongings she had taken with her a few years earlier. You understand: the silver cup, the plate and the cutlery. That's what you call holding a grudge!
... That they seek to preserve.
Remarkable Garden, House of the Illustrious, Historic Monument... One cannot say that the Miromesnil estate spares its efforts to preserve all its magnificence, authenticity and ancient character. And what merit it has, because maintaining a castle and its surroundings requires three essential resources: an exclusive schedule, permanent energy and of course a considerable sum of money.
In June 2006, the Miromesnil estate launched its own foundation called the Association of Friends of Château de Miromesnil (A.A.M). The approach of the latter is simple: bring together all those who wish to mobilize for the preservation of this jewel of Norman heritage and thus perpetuate its cultural influence.
With nearly twenty years of efforts and activities to its credit, the association has improved or developed more than one brilliant project such as:
- Carrying out several roofing works
- Organizing cultural events (concerts...)
- Acquiring new valuable objects enriching the collections
- Developing school reception by hiring a cultural mediator
Labels, mutual aid collective, step by step the Miromesnil estate continues to live with its time. And you, would you be ready to be part of this preservation adventure?
The castle: a prestigious residence
No need to cross the stone bridge, which precedes the dry moat, to realize that we have a high place of French heritage within our reach.
The building consists of a central body on two levels, extended on either side by two pavilions. All in a coat of orange-pink bricks.
On site, you'll come face to face with the north façade in monumental Louis XIII style. A tableau with abundant decoration made of mascarons, pilasters and flower garlands. The complete opposite of the Henry IV style south façade which displays much cleaner lines.
Inside, elegance and beauty also burst into everyone's view. All the rooms are furnished in 18th and 19th century styles, while highlighting the history of fashion and table arts throughout the centuries.
The green spaces: an Eden of colors and scents
The vegetable garden
Photo Château de Miromesnil Facebook Page
Adjacent to the castle, sheltered by brick walls, the Miromesnil vegetable garden awakens the senses of all visitors who cross it. And without the dedication of Simone de Voguë, none of this would have been possible.
Indeed, after World War II, the countess redesigned the 2500 m² of this vegetable garden long left abandoned. For this, she divided the plot into four squares separated by grass walkways and grew fruits and vegetables intended to feed the inhabitants. A significant nutritional vocation in times of rationing! Quite quickly, the first flowers appeared, to give a little more cheerfulness to the result.
It took more than thirty years for the current vegetable garden to take its form and content. In a constant swing between geometric French garden and disordered English garden, fruit trees, climbing plants, regional specialties and aromatic herbs are cherished throughout the year.
The park
Photo Château de Miromesnil Facebook Page
Behind the castle, the estate's park extends in both length and width. Simple but effective, it resembles a vast lawn field whose main feature is not its beautiful green color, but its diamond shape like that adopted by gardens of old.
The beech forest, deployed over nearly a kilometer long, is classified as a natural site and consists of about 3,500 trees. A remarkable plant masterpiece still dominated by this bicentennial Lebanon cedar, the star of the place!
The chapel: traces of worship
Nestled in the heart of the forest, not far from the 20-meter-high beech trees, the small Saint-Antoine-l'Ermite chapel continues to live happy days. Looking at it like that, you wouldn't think it has accumulated 5 centuries of existence. And yet, it's the only intact trace of the original fortified castle destroyed following the Battle of Arques.
Outside, austerity prevails through the use of sandstone and flint as construction materials. While inside, the polychrome statues, 16th-century stained glass windows and moldings alone summarize all the richness of the sanctuary.
Breaking news! It's in this site classified as a historic monument that Guy de Maupassant would have been baptized!
That's it, the desire has taken over, the Miromesnil estate will be an integral part of your next vacation in Normandy! To best plan your visit, here are some practical information to know before going there blindly.
Hours and access
First of all, the Miromesnil estate only opens its gates 5 to 6 months a year. The tourist season generally begins with the arrival of good weather, early April and ends late September/early October when autumn sets in. It sometimes happens that an exception is made with a few additional visits during the All Saints' holidays.
For the hours, there's no particular difficulty to raise. If we base ourselves on previous years, the estate usually welcomes the public every day from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. However, guided tours are generally scheduled at very specific time slots: 10:30am, 2:30pm and 4pm.
Warning: Unless otherwise stated, dogs are not accepted on the premises.
To get to the Miromesnil estate, the car remains the fastest and most practical means of transport.
From Dieppe (15-minute journey), you'll need to take the D915 then the D54 and D254 before exiting at Tourville-sur-Arques.
From Rouen (45-minute journey), you'll need to take the A151 then the N27 and D108 before exiting at Calnon Hameau towards Tourville-sur-Arques.
Price list
* : Free stroll in the park and vegetable garden
** : 1h30 guided tour (in French or English) of the castle, chapel and gardens
Other services offered: Guided tours and workshops for schools and leisure centers, Children/family workshops during school holidays, Garden pass (annual access to green spaces during opening hours), "Maupassant Walk"...
For a few annual highlights
Far from being old-fashioned, the Miromesnil estate doubles its originality each year to make its 10 hectares appreciated differently through the organization of fun and instructive events. Thus, locals and visitors can take part in:
- Cluedo evenings (From 12 years old – April to September): based on the famous board game, participants conduct the investigation by questioning the suspects one by one in order to unmask the culprit(s) of the terrible crime. Rate: €25/adult and €18 from 12 to 18 years old.
- Easter egg hunt (Easter weekend and Monday): for more than 15 years, young and old embark on a big treasure hunt to find 6 fictitious eggs (among the 5000 hidden) of different colors to exchange for a chocolate subject. Rate: €5/Adult, €4 reduced rate and free for under 7s.
- Garden rendezvous (around June): organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event highlights the estate's green spaces according to a specific theme (e.g.: 2023 theme: "The music of the garden"). Rate €8/adult and free for reduced rates.
- European Heritage Days (3rd weekend of September). Reduced rate for all and free for under 18s.
- Christmas market (mid-November to early December). Rate: €2/person and free for under 12s.
For a reception
Business leader, newlyweds or others, you're looking for an ideal place to receive your guests with dignity? What if the Miromesnil estate was THE solution made for you!
Since 2021, the Norman historic site has made available a 470m² area that can accommodate up to 350 seated people, and 400 standing, under a Tuareg tent. That's the largest reception space available in Normandy just for you!
Modular according to desires and type of event, here's a "tailor-made" formula that's chic, elegant and rustic that will undoubtedly make its finest effect.
For a weekend or more
Sleep at the Miromesnil estate?! Yes, yes, it's an achievable luxury!
Nathalie and Jean-Christophe Romatet, owners of the family building, offer to share their daily life with potential interested parties. To do this, 5 guest rooms and 2 gites serve as accommodation for all those who dream of staying peacefully in an exceptional setting.
Photo Château Miromesnil Website
Simple and refined, the rooms offer a choice of view over the park or the vegetable garden classified as "remarkable garden". As for activities, there too, you are well spoiled between what's possible to do nearby (fishing, horseback riding, golf, parachuting...) or a few kilometers around (excursions to the cliffs of Étretat, cultural visit to Dieppe, walk on the landing beaches...).
Starting price for 2 people: €155/night