The Estate is relatively small compared with many Châteaux, being just fifteen acres, much of which is woodland. Below is a map showing the layout of the grounds and the proximity of the Neufosse ship canal:
Map of the Chateau Grounds
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Château is that it is not the original, but the ‘pavillon de chasse’ or hunting lodge belonging to the Château of the same name that once stood about half a kilometre to the west. Sadly, the original was burned to the ground during the French Revolution. We have not yet found any detailed records of the event and can only imagine what aristocratic follies brought the attention of the revolutionaries to that particular property.
As we understand it, the central part of the present building was constructed in 1750, then substantially extended 120 years later to form the Château as we see it today. Research is ongoing!
At the turn of the 20th century the property was owned by M. Arnauld van Zoller d’Oosthove, a name that reflects the Flemish origins of the area. He was Mayor of Racquinghem for many years and erected the main gates, which bear his initials. A photograph of the time, showing both van Zoller and the Château can be seen via the following link: (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/lencquesaing/index_fichiers/Page1446.htm).
Notice how little the exterior of the Château has changed in the last 100 years.
The woodlands of the Château stand out clearly from the surrounding countryside (which is largely given over to agriculture) and they contain a number of substantial specimen trees. Our own timber (which is either fallen or part of a thinning programme) is used to fire a huge old boiler, which provides remarkably good central heating for the Château. As a result, there is often the faint but evocative smell of woodsmoke in the air.
We are working to make the grounds a protected area for wildlife and you may well see deer, rabbits, ducks, hedgehogs, hares, woodpeckers, jays, magpies and a variety of other wild birds. When we first arrived, there were no small birds to be seen – despite our well stocked bird feeders – probably because of a tradition of regular shooting on the estate. Now there are flocks of finches, tits, siskins, wrens and myriad other small birds to be seen and enjoyed. At first the local deer were so gun-shy that all we usually saw of them were their hoofprints. Now some are hand tame and, indeed, a young male used to come to us for butting practice (running in his newly growing antlers)
Feeding Wild Deer
The farmyard complex consists of a Farmhouse, large coach house, stables, tack-room, barns, henhouse, kennels and storage rooms arranged around a cobbled courtyard. The Farmhouse currently sleeps 6 and is available either as a self-contained unit, or as an extension of the Château, with Table d’Hôte and other services. Some of the buildings around the square are suitable for conversion into living accommodation and the whole will be subject to sensitive restoration and development at some future point.
The Neufossé Ship Canal runs along the eastern edge of the property, and is part of a large network of rivers and canals that go deep into France. Their construction was ordered by Napoleon as part of his ambitious programme of construction and public works across France. Bethune, a little way up the canal, is still an active port and large barges regularly pass by, just out of sight, but occasionally audible. Arques, further downstream, receives large amounts of raw materials (silica especially) by barge for the Crystal d’Arc factories, the biggest local employer. (The guided tour of one of the production lines, followed by the factory shop, is well worth a visit).
If you are so minded, there are plenty of opportunities to help around the estate, and we welcome such involvement.
