Château de Breteuil is built on a promontory overlooking the Chevreuse Valley. For most of its existence, the castle has been known as Bévilliers -from latin bis villae (two villas)- which implies that this property would date back to the gallo-roman period.
The first estate appears in History as early as 1066 with Guillaume Osbern, the first Breteuil, who was Seneschal to the Duke of Normandy. Guillaume Osbern took part in the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, who saw him as his most faithful companion. In the summer of 1067 the King returned to Normandy, leaving the Lord of Breteuil and his brother in charge of England in his absence.
At the time, a fortified castle was built in Bévilliers; its dovecote and moats still remain today. In 1596, Thibaut Desportes bought the estate still called Bévilliers. Bordered by medieval square moats, a new castle was laid out around an enclosed courtyard, A pleasure garden was carefully thought out, situated at the foot of the north facade, so that the sun never glares into the eyes of the person contemplating it.
The curtain walls were removed and moat dried in 1820-1830. The major restoration took place in the end of the 19th century: two wings were added and the gardens were extended.
References:Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.
History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.
Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.
Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.