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With is façade of pink brick and carved stone and slate, framed roof the Chateau les Bruyères is a perfect example of architecture from the First Empire. A masterpiece of the Napoleonic era combining delicate brickwork and stone facing, surrounded by rose bushes beautifully tended box tress and rhododendrons.
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The chateau such as it is today was built in 1816 close to a Norman manor house, restored itself about a century earlier. Originally the typical Auge style manor stood as part of a group of buildings making up what was known as manor enclosure.
Attached to its manor house like a child to its mother, this elegant chateau was the property of several fortunate families including the Petit family who owned it in early 20th century. While undergoing spa treatments at Cabourg, Marcel Proust used to enjoy getting away from the bustle of the coast and stay at the chateau. The calm of the countryside was much more of an inspiration for him and both the village of Cambremer and the chateau feature in his novel “A l’Ombre des Jeunes Filles en Fleur” (Within a Budding Grove).
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After the Petits and their famous guest, the next owners to be seduced by the calm of the Auge Vallet in the 1920’s were a couple of Parisian perfumers. It was the Chady-Bollacks who had the good idea of planting the imposing alleyway leading to the chateau – no doubt to impress more arriving guests. Among these were the famous Parisian publisher Emile Langlois and his companion Marcelle Mansuis who was secretary at the time to Georges Clemenceau.
Today the chateau belongs to the Harfaux family whose passions are equally divided between gastronomy, art and breeding horses. Together with their daughter Julie, they have transformed this former Empire dwelling into a hotel full of charm and decorated with style and taste by artefacts collected on their travels or at art auctions – a water colour here, a sculpture or a rug there. A splendid collection of impressionist and cubist paintings adorn the stone walls under the gaze of equestrian statues from the Ming period.
The grounds have been completely restored and completed by a kitchen garden and an aromatic herb garden. An apple orchard has also been planted to produce the chateau’s own cider. Madame Harfaux is on hand to take care of all the guests’ requirements whether advice on how to find the beach or directions for a walk off the beaten track. Meanwhile Julie, a qualified physiotherapist provides massages and treatments for those looking to recharge their batteries amidst the calm of the Normandy countryside.
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