William the Conqueror in Vendeuvre – A face, a lineage, a table

A journey between historical portrait, family lineage, and evocation of the ducal table

A face, a lineage, a table
On the occasion of Millenium, the Château de Vendeuvre offers a journey around the Duke of Normandy and King of England. The exhibition brings together an ancient portrait, a family history rooted in Normandy for nearly nine centuries, and an evocation of dining practices in the 11th century.

The portrait of William the Conqueror
The journey features an exceptional portrait attributed to William the Conqueror. According to tradition, this likeness would have been derived from the opening of his tomb at the Abbey aux Hommes in Caen at the beginning of the 16th century, when a Norman painter is said to have created his portrait from observing his remains.

Distributed through several copies between the 16th and 19th centuries, particularly in England, this image is represented by a painting acquired in the 19th century by a Norman scholar and preserved in his family since. This work allows for questioning the construction and transmission of the image of the Conqueror over the centuries.

From William the Conqueror to the Le Forestier family
The exhibition also traces the genealogical links connecting the owners of Vendeuvre to medieval Normandy. A family tree traces their lineage back to William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders through several great Norman families, up to Isabeau du Mesnildot, wife of Jean I Le Forestier in 1527.

Established in Normandy since the Middle Ages, the Le Forestier family also remembers Geoffroy Le Forestier, presented as advisor to Henry II of England in the 12th century. Documents, genealogies, and coats of arms illustrate nearly a thousand years of family memory and Norman roots.

At the table of William the Conqueror
In the basements of the castle, a recreation evokes the banquets of the 11th century. Furniture, dishes, and utensils allow visitors to discover the usages of the medieval table, while the foods, methods of cooking, and spices recreate the atmosphere of the ducal court feasts. A culinary presentation inspired by the tradition of Queen Matilda completes this immersion.

Through a portrait, a genealogy, and the evocation of daily life, the Château de Vendeuvre offers a perspective on William the Conqueror, his descendants, and the Norman legacy.

Practical information:
For all audiences
Paid admission: from €11 to €16
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