Chateau Gaillard
Chateau Gaillard
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About Chateau Gaillard
Add to favoritesBuilt in just one year (1196-1197) by Richard the Lionheart, this stone colossus proudly overlooks the Seine at Les Andelys. A masterpiece of medieval military architecture, it was designed to protect Rouen from the ambitions of King Philip Augustus of France. Its scalloped walls, a major technical innovation for the time, made it a fortress renowned for its impregnability. Although in ruins today, the site exudes a rare evocative power. Visitors can explore the deep moats and the upper bailey to understand the sophisticated defense systems of the Middle Ages, while admiring one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Seine Valley.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
The site is exposed to wind and sun. Go there at sunset to see the chalk cliffs and the castle stone light up with a spectacular golden color.
2 Key Dates
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castle
1196
Built between 1196 and 1198 by Richard the Lionheart, Château-Gaillard was erected in just two years to defend Normandy against Philip Augustus.
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swords
6/3/1204
End of the siege of Château-Gaillard: Richard the Lionheart's impregnable fortress falls, Normandy becomes French
