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| Le Mont Saint Michel Castle / W. Rebel CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Medieval
times are a fascinating part of history with castles, knights in shining armor
and kings and queens and these castles are reminders of how life was in the
medieval times. Medieval times started in about the year 800 or 9th
century following the collapse of the Roman Empire in Europe and lasted until
about the 16th century. If you take a vacation to France, you have to visit a
few of these medieval castles.
Castles were built,
destroyed and rebuilt in France with many of them defending the land during the
Hundred Years’ War between 1337 and 1453, the Albigensian
Crusade (Cathar Crusade), the French War of Religion and various other
struggles. Many castles were also built as lavish residences. The following
castles were for defensive purposes during the turbulent medieval times.
Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy
Mont Saint-Michel
sits atop the rocky island just off the coast in Normandy, France. This incredible castle is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and an architectural wonder. First built in the 8th
century, Mont Saint-Michel has been an abbey, Christian pilgrimage destination
and castle defending Normandy during the Hundred Years war.
Legend says that in
708 the archangel Michel visited St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches and told him
to build an Abbey at the site which was dedicated to St. Michel in 709.
During the conquest
of Normandy, King Philip II of France attacked and damaged the original abbey in
1204 (13th century), which was then rebuilt with more fortifications.
During the Hundred Years War, the English attacked the castle numerous times in
the 1400s but failed to take it, during Napoleon’s reign it was used as a
prison.
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| Mont Saint Michel castle / source |
Castle of Carcassonne Languedoc Region France
First started as a
Roman outpost in the 2nd century BC, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is more of
a fortified town than an actual castle and has seen Romans, Visigoths,
Saracens, Franks and French Kings control it. It was continuously added onto
many times throughout the years and refurbished in the 19th century
when it was saved from demolition.
Legend says that in
the 9th century when Charlemagne laid siege to the castle fortress,
Madame Carcas threw the last of the town’s wheat over the walls to feed the
pigs. When Charlemagne saw this he thought the fortress had an inexhaustible
supply of food and did not attack.
The fortress was
taken in 1209 during the Albigensian Crusade by Simon
de Montfort who further fortified it. In 1247 Carcassonne came under control of King Louis IX and
then Philip III, both adding additions to the fortress. So much so that during the Hundred Years War Edward the Black could not
take it.
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| Carcassonne castle / source |
Avignon Castle in Vaucluse, France
Also known as the
Pope’s Palace or Palais des Papes is another UNESCO
World Heritage site.
Built in the early
1300s when Rome became to dangerous for the Pope to stay, Avignon became the temporary home for the popes
during the 14th century. A very large and impressive castle
overlooking the Rhone River is 49,000 square feet (15,000 square
meters) was lavishly decorated by the Catholic Church.
Vincennes Castle in Vincennes, France
The castle was
originally built as a lodge for Louis VII in 1150 was fortified into a castle
in the 13th and 14th centuries by Philip Augustus and
Louis IX. Three future 14th century kings were born at the Vincennes castle, Louis V, Philippe X and Charles IV.
The defense portion
of the Vincennes castle is the tallest medieval fortified structure
in Europe rising 52 meters (172 feet).
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| Vincennes Castle / Selbymay CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Foix in Ariege, France
The Foix castle
sits high above the Ariege
River in the Pyrenees Mountain chain. The castle was first built around
1000 (11th century) and originally had the two square towers with
the round tower added in the 15th century.
The castle was one
of the most strategically placed and was never taken until King Philippe the
Bold took it in 1272. The castle was important during the Albigensian Crusade when
Simon de Montfort laid siege to the castle in 1211 and 1212 but never took it.
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| Foix Castle / Ignis CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Tarascon Castle in Provence, France
Tarascon castle is
quite a fortress with the towers the same height as the walls and small
windows. Construction began in 1401 on the Rhone River to protect the Provence region and the trade routes of the Rhone. In the 15th century, the castle
also played an important part during the French Wars of Religion.
Aigues Mortes
Built in 1240 by
Louis IX and completed by Philip the Bold on the only French Mediterranean port
of the time and is a great example of a medieval fortified city. The castle was
built to be impregnable with walls 20 feet thick (6 meters) and five towers.
During the Hundred Years War, the castle was captured by Burgundians but
retaken when they were massacred in their sleep and their bodies thrown into
what is called the Tower
of Burgundian.
Castle of Montsegur
Built
in 1204 by the Cathares in the French Pyrenees was the center of the Cathar
religion. During the Albigensian Crusade in 1244 after a 10-month siege the
castle fell to the Royal Army
ending the Crusade and supposedly the secrets of the
Holy Grail were lost at this time.
Castle of Puivert
Located in the Pyrenees and one of the best preserved castles was
another Cathar stronghold that included a signal platform to communicate with
Montsegur. The castle was taken by Simon de Montfort
in 1210.
Beaucaire Castle
This
castle in southern France overlooking the Rhone River has seen a lot of history and is
one of the largest castles in France. In 1216 during the Albigensian
Crusade, Raymond IV of Toulouse attacked the castle and the
siege lasted 3 months when the city fell.
During the siege, Simon de Montfort
tried to save the city but failed. The castle was again attacked in 1385 by the
English during the Hundred Years War. In the 1500s, during the French War of
Religion, the castle was once again attacked and damaged.
Today
most of these castles are museums which you can take tours.
Copyright © 2010-2014 Sam Montana
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