Château de Fère-en-Tardenois, Fère-en-Tardenois, France

The Château de Fère-en-Tardenois is a ruined castle in the commune of Fère-en-Tardenois in the Aisne département. Construction of the original castle began in 1206. Little of that remains today. It had seven towers on an enormous artificial motte whose slopes were covered in slabs of sandstone and served as a model for numerous other castles. The connétable Anne de Montmorency, companion of Francis I, transformed the castle in around 1528. In 1555, he enlarged it with the addition of the famous Renaissance bridge carrying a covered gallery. These works were carried out by the architect Jean Bullant (who constructed the gallery at the Château de Chenonceaux) and, possibly, the sculptor Jean Goujon, which would explain the quality of the sculptures, the stone and the colours.

Ownership of the castle is shared by the département and a private company. It is open to the public.

References:

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User Reviews

Idse Beukema (4 years ago)
Impressive ruins of an old castle. The Castle van be visited, but there is nothing else to see or do. A little explanation about the history would have been nice.

Arno Belham (4 years ago)
A real diamond in the rough. 5 star hotel & spa, in a 18th century castle. hidden behind a 13-century built castle. Two style next to each other. Great welcoming staff and calm outdoors. Very relaxing. Highly recommended.

Stephan de Oude (5 years ago)
Spectacular place, a real sight to see. It seemed to be being renovated (rebuild). For this they have a 150 year plan. There is no reception or entrance port, I recommend to just park and go see the sight!

aleks lewis (5 years ago)
Great atmosphere, enormous selection of wines, good service and the food was wonderful

Ben Williams (5 years ago)
Beautiful Castle, free to visit and unique construction. Would love to learn more about the place and maybe one day I can afford to book a room in the Hotel!

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

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Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Château de Fère-en-Tardenois

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