.The château has belonged to my husband's family since 1661. It has been passed down from generation to generation either by marriage or by direct descent within the Tocqueville family. The most famous figure is Alexis de Tocqueville, famous for his book "Democracy in America". Today, the house's activities revolve around his writings and his vision of democracy. I like to say that this place is a kind of physical anchor for his ideas, which gives it a very special identity.
The château, a listed historic monument, is distinguished by its composite appearance resulting from three construction periods. In the 16th century, the property consisted of a large Norman house flanked by two towers, to which a dovecote was added at the end of the courtyard, which still has 2 500 bolts. In the 18th century, the current façade was added to the manor house, which was extended to the south with the creation of large spaces, big windows and patio doors. The 19th century saw the creation of an English-style park organised around ponds and groves with non-rectilinear layouts, as well as the construction of a square tower to the south, which completes the overall appearance of the estate. The complex is built of local granite and covered with shale roofs. The exceptional Tourlaville shale roofs, pegged and grouted with lime mortar, are typical of Val de Saire housing. Inside, the library occupies a central place: it is the room where Alexis de Tocqueville lived and worked.
The history of the château is closely linked to that of the Clérel de Tocqueville family, whose origins date back to the 11th century. Guillaume Clérel accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and fought with him at the Battle of Hastings. The family settled in Tocqueville in 1661. Alexis de Tocqueville inherited the château in 1836. There he worked on the second part of his book "Democracy in America". In 1837, a writer before lunch and a farmer after, he led a life punctuated by intellectual work and management of the estate, modernising the farm. In 1852, he continued writing "The Old Regime and the Revolution" at the château. Very attached to the house, he was the link with the generations that preceded him and maintained the traditions of charity practised in the house. When we took over the property in 2007, we chose to preserve its status as a family home and undertook a major restoration to open it up to the world.
.Here, we ensure that our guests feel at home, while enjoying tailor-made services in a place where the soul of our heritage comes alive. I personally welcome our guests and invite guests on a visit to Alexis de Tocqueville's library. A couple of caretakers, with experience in the hotel industry, are on hand at all times to provide attentive service. Two hours of daily cleaning are included in the rental price. A chef, driver, guide and other services are available on request. The park, tennis court and bicycles are freely available.
In Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the "Maison Gosselin", founded in 1889, is an emblematic delicatessen with a wine and spirits cellar. In Barfleur, the "Café de France", opposite the harbour, is an authentic seafarers' restaurant serving fresh, simple cuisine. In Maupertus-sur-Mer, "La Maison Rouge", a panoramic restaurant overlooking the sea, showcases the flavours of the Cotentin region through carefully selected local produce. In Cherbourg, "Le Pily", a Michelin-starred restaurant, serves cuisine inspired by the sea, in a contemporary setting overlooking the harbour.
The entire château, with around 20 rooms and 2 000 m² of floor space, plus 200 m² of outbuildings and six hectares of parkland, can be rented out for film shoots or photo shoots. The château's 18th-century drawing rooms and library are among the most interesting areas. The tower is available for the accommodation of professional teams if required.
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