The story of Brévedent: a family château at the heart of the Pays d’Auge

A manor shaped by time

Long before welcoming holidaymakers, the hunting pavilion of Brévedent was an aristocratic residence, shaped by the elegance of the 18th century. It has seen fashions come and go, families grow, and—during more turbulent times—uniforms march through its grounds.

The Second World War left its mark on the region. The Pays d’Auge, strategic on a military level, was heavily occupied. The manor itself was seized by German troops. Years later, Madame Gurrey—a key figure in the estate’s history—would tell campers the memorable story of a British pilot who, moments before a forced landing, dropped an explosive into the pond in front of the manor. Today, that peaceful stretch of water still seems to hold the echo of this wartime episode.

1956: a bold idea and the start of a legacy

After the war, the pavillon needed care, investment and a new purpose. That’s when the Marquis de Chabannes made a bold decision: to create a campsite to fund the restoration of the property. It was the early 1960s, and outdoor tourism was only beginning to grow. The idea surprised many—but it worked. And it became the foundation of what is now one of the historic campsites of the Les Castels chain.

Families soon arrived and pitched their tents beneath majestic beech trees, sharing stories by the water, enjoying a drink at the bar on the manor’s ground floor, and wandering through the period lounge where portraits of the Gurrey ancestors still watch over the estate.

Little by little, the campsite became a holiday home for many—and a cherished family endeavour for those who ran it.

A family story woven through generations

Four generations have shaped Brévedent into what it is today.
Geneviève Gurrey, daughter of the Marquis, managed the estate for several years. She later passed the torch to Anne Bony-Gurrey, the Marquis’s granddaughter, who firmly established the campsite within the finest French outdoor hospitality. She developed services designed especially for families and transformed the site into a warm, welcoming, fully fledged holiday destination.

Today, the estate is run by Jess and Raphaël, the Marquis’s great-grandson, together with their children. They brought a new dimension to Brévedent—one centred on ecology, sharing and music, while keeping alive the oldest values of the place: family and hospitality.

The Brev’maculture: an art of living unique to Brévedent

Jess and Raphaël call it the Brev’maculture—a joyful philosophy of simplicity, nature and community. It’s about living gently, looking after one another and respecting the environment.

Here, you’ll find:

• a permaculture vegetable garden open to all campers,
• 100% natural washing-up liquid available in the sanitary blocks,
• nature workshops and walks to discover wild plants,
• open-mic evenings, acoustic sessions and music shared with complete spontaneity.

It’s an invitation to breathe deeper, slow down, reconnect and rediscover the pleasure of taking one’s time.

A château campsite where every corner has a story

Staying at Brévedent means living in a wooded park where centuries-old trees have seen generations of campers come and go.
It means sipping a morning coffee on the manor terrace while looking out over the pond.
It means spotting a robin hopping between the trunks of ancient beeches.
It means hearing a guitar riff float across the pool on a summer evening.

This intimate 4-star campsite offers:

• comfortable Nautilhome mobile homes,
• glamping-style lodge tents,
• or spacious pitches, including premium versions with fridges, private sanitary facilities or water connections.

With just 119 pitches, the atmosphere remains warm, human and peaceful.

A genuine ecological commitment

Ecology at Brévedent is not a marketing slogan—it’s a real, long-standing commitment.

The campsite uses:

• 100% renewable electricity, produced in France,
• organic and local products across all services,
• permaculture gardens,
• preserved wild zones,
• educational and family-friendly nature activities.

Here, the pond, forest and meadows are living ecosystems to be respected and protected—and to be admired at a slow, gentle pace.

Music, art and nature: a unique atmosphere

Music is an essential part of life at Brévedent. Raphaël himself performs acoustic concerts in summer—festive, joyful evenings that bring campers together. Musicians from the audience often join in, creating unforgettable moments.
In the quieter seasons, music sometimes appears unannounced, played at the bar by whoever feels inspired.

The campsite also showcases local artists through exhibitions of photography, sculpture and painting—indoors at reception or outdoors in the gardens.

A paradise for children and an inspiration for parents

Brévedent is designed for families.
Nature becomes an endless playground, a world of discovery for every child.
The garden transforms into a castle, the forest into a kingdom, the playgrounds into the starting point of great adventures.

And parents find their own haven of peace—reading by the pool, relaxing in the sun or simply enjoying the quiet.

A perfect base to explore Normandy

From Brévedent, you are close to:

• the sandy beaches of the Côte Fleurie,
• Deauville’s heated sea-water Olympic pool,
• equestrian centres and world-famous stud farms,
• golf courses,
• Calvados distilleries and cider farms,
• markets full of local produce,
• the Impressionist routes of Normandy.

A compact taste of Normandy—right on the doorstep.

A stay that feels like a breath of fresh air

Choosing Castel Camping Le Brévedent means taking a true break.
It’s stepping into a family story, a historic château, a natural haven—and a gentle way of living that invites you to slow down.

All that remains is to settle between the trees… and let the Brévedent magic work.