Soon after the Erkelenz was elevated to a town status in the 12th century, work began on the brick fortifications of the place. These probably consisted of basic ramparts as had been common since time immemorial for the defence of settlements. Although the castle was not documented until 1349, the town appeared to have developed under the protection of the castle.
The castle has 23 high keep, curtain walls and corner towers. It was part of larger city walls. It was badly damaged by French army in 1674.
The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.