Gerberoy: the smallest town in France through royal recognition
Picturesque town near Beauvais is known for its roses, gardens and historic battles
Gerberoy was one of the first places to be awarded status among the Plus Beaux Villages de France when the title was created in 1982Office de Tourisme de la Picardie Verte
Gerberoy (Oise) near Beauvais, Oise is very pretty, situated on a small hill, with roses climbing up its timber-framed, stone and brick houses.
The post-impressionist artist, Henri Le Sidaner fell in love with it at the beginning of the 20th Century, painted it, lived there and created gardens which are now open to the public.
It was amongst the first Plus Beaux Villages de France when the title was created in 1982.
Admire traditional timber-framed buildings along cobbled streetsOffice de Tourisme de la Picardie Verte
It is a peaceful place now, but for centuries it was the scene of bloody battles between the English who owned the Duchy of Normandy and the King of France. Its hilltop position on the border between the two, meant it was an important strategic site, worth fighting for.
Its first fortified castle was built in 923.
“Thereafter the château was frequently destroyed and rebuilt as the village changed hands several times between the French and the English,” Magalie Dhondt, tourist guide at Gerberoy, previously told The Connexion (2022).
“It was finally dismantled under orders from Henri IV in 1592. Henri Le Sidaner created his garden in the ruins of the castle.”
The first major battle took place in 1079 between William the Conqueror and his oldest son Robert Courteheuse, who was angry because his father had not handed over Normandy to him as promised. King Philip I of France loaned him Gerberoy castle where he gathered 2000 soldiers. William retaliated by setting siege to the settlement, but he was wounded by his son, and after three weeks of fighting he abandoned the struggle.
In 1188, the château was rebuilt with ramparts. Eight years later, John, brother of Richard the Lionheart attacked and destroyed most of the castle.
It remained French, however, and in 1202 King Philip II visited and honoured Gerberoy, by giving it the title of “Ville”.
“That means that today it is France’s smallest town,” said Ms Dhondt, “even though there are only around 80 residents living here all year round.”
In 1419 the Earl of Huntingdon attacked, and Gerberoy was under English rule until 1432 when the French won it back.
In 1435 there was the important Battle of Gerberoy. The French were victorious, even though English troops were superior in number, proving they were still strong, four years after Joan of Arc had been burned alive at Rouen.
A few years later the Hundred Years War came to an end, but there was still no peace for Gerberoy, as the Wars of Religion followed with attacks and occupations by the Huguenots.
Plague in the late 16th Century and fires in the 17th Century weakened the village further. By the 19th and 20th Century only a few farmers, labourers and members of the bourgeoisie lived there.
In 1901, Henri Le Sidaner fell under its charm and helped change the fortunes of the village.
“He made the local inhabitants aware of the beauty of their homes and persuaded them to renovate the village and make it what it is today,” says Ms Dhondt.
“He loved roses and encouraged villagers to grow two climbing roses each in front of their houses. He also created the Fête des Roses which still takes place every year on the first Sunday of June,” she added.
