- Type
- Castle
- Built
- c. 1013 · 11th century
- Location
- Centre-Val de Loire, France
- Style
- medieval architecture
- Coordinates
- 47.1248°, 0.9969°
History
The mighty keep was begun around 1013 by Fulk III Nerra, Count of Anjou, and tree-ring dating confirms that it was built in the first half of the 11th century. In 1193 Philip II Augustus took the fortress, and in 1194 Richard the Lionheart recaptured it within a few hours, and in 1205, after a long siege, it passed for good to the French crown. Around 1400 the Logis Royal residence was built. In 1429, after the victory at Orléans, Joan of Arc came here to urge Charles VII to travel to Reims for his coronation. In the early 16th century the castle prison held the deposed Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza.
What to see
The castle occupies a spur ringed by the walls of the medieval cité royale. At one end rises the keep, about 36 metres high, with its adjoining prison towers; at the other stands the Logis Royal with Anne of Brittany's oratory and the tomb of Agnès Sorel, Charles VII's mistress. Between them is the Romanesque collegiate church of Saint-Ours. The residence terrace overlooks the Indre valley.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1061061
Popularity: articles about this site in 25 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).