Château d’Arnouville in Normandy, France

One of the few attractions in the commune of Ermenouville is the Château d’Arnouville,  which happens to be owned by a friend’s grandmother. The château features two distinct styles. The first, dating from the 16th century, is the central portion featuring stone construction, and a steep pitched roof with four chimneys. The windows are of stained glass in a diamond pattern and iron crest ornamentation extends from the tops of the roof.

The two wings appear to be subsequently added in a different architectural style. The interlocking brick and stone is a derivative of Henry IV’s royal design, most notably used at the Place Royal (now the Place des Vosges). This dates the extension to the 17th century. The wings are also not perfectly symmetrical to one another as to the window openings and stone placement. The back facade of the château contains its most medieval elements, with the turret and slender windows. Also on the property was a tennis court, dog kennel and parts of a former chapel. The family is currently converting part of the land into a golf course.

Conversion to golf course:

As of 2006, the town had only 164 residents! But nearby is the coastal town of Saint-Valery-en-Caux. This is where the British surrendered to German Erwin Rommel during World War II. Today the town boasts a casino but the esplanade still retains some of the traditional fishing village feel. The water here is a lovely, mysterious sea foam green, which I have never seen anywhere else.