Claville-Motteville

Gouville, whose name derives from the Germanic personal name Godo, is today a hamlet annexed to the commune of Claville-Motteville. Its existence as an independent commune officially ended on 7th May 1828, the date on which a royal ordinance sealed its administrative annexation. Although its autonomy has vanished, the site preserves traces of very ancient occupation.

Merovingian Origins 

The history of the valley dates back to the Frankish era. In 1861, agricultural work on the slope of the "Côte aux Prêtres" (Priests' Hill) unearthed a Merovingian cemetery. Three limestone sarcophagi were discovered at a shallow depth. These contained intact skeletons, as well as artefacts characteristic of the Merovingian period: amber jewellery, glass beads, and stamped pottery.

An Episode from the Wars of Religion

 The archives also mention Gouville's involvement in the conflicts of the late 16th century. During the Siege of Rouen by Henry IV in 1592, the parish priest distinguished himself through his commitment to the bourgeois militias. Armed with an arquebus, he took part in sorties against the royal troops. He died in battle, and his body was brought back into the city by his brothers-in-arms.

The Revolutionary Period and the Germiny Family

 The French Revolution marked a turning point for local governance. In 1793, the Lord of Gouville, Count Raoul de Germiny, and his wife were imprisoned as suspects. They avoided conviction, however, thanks to the repeated support of the village inhabitants. A petition, signed by almost the entire population, was sent every décade to testify in the Count's favour. After his release, the latter managed to buy back his lands, which had been confiscated and sold as biens nationaux (national property).

Development and Modernisation in the 19th Century

 Under the impetus of successive owners, the landscape of Gouville was transformed. Achille Lemasson abandoned the old manorial residence located near the river to build the current château on the heights. From 1866, Count Adrien de Germiny undertook major hydraulic works. He created a four-hectare artificial lake dedicated to fish farming and installed a pumping system to irrigate the land. The construction of large greenhouses for the cultivation of rare plants completed the development of the estate.

Today, although the title of commune is no more than an administrative memory, Gouville remains an integral part of Claville-Motteville’s identity through its archaeological and landed heritage.