Château-sur-Epte Ruins, Château-sur-Epte, France

The Château-sur-Epte Castle construction was begun in 1097 by William Rufus, King of England, to reinforce the frontier of Epte. The castle occupied a site on the border between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France. In 1119, it was besieged by Louis VI of France and reinforced by the Plantagenets in the 12th century and again during the Hundred Years' War.

In the 12th century, it was restored and reinforced by Henry II of England (keep and entry). Other works were carried out in the 14th century. In 1437, the château was captured by John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury. The castle's role declined in the 16th century and it was ordered to be dismantled by Mazarin in 1647. Transformed into an agricultural centre under the Ancien Régime, it comprised a motte with a stone keep, a lower court linked to the motte and defended by a curtain wall flanked in the east and west by two fortified gateways (14th century), a drawbridge and, in the lower court, a medieval barn, a 17th century corps de logis and a dovecote. The condition of the site deteriorated.

The ruins are private property. It has been listed since 1926 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

C. Keyfield (6 months ago)
A real discovery, a little-known castle and yet a historic monument. Come during their festival with craftsmen, traders etc, and behind the house in another space a medieval camp with enthusiasts. It brings history to life! The entrances were used to rebuild a building of which only the walls and a section of the roof remain. Hopefully they had the finances to push it forward! The site is worth the detour. To be continued....

daniel sabardu (6 months ago)
Medieval entertainment intended with the proceeds for the restoration of the castle. The site is small but unexpected and interesting. We have no regrets and we wish the volunteers good luck for their contribution.

Catherine Bordus (6 months ago)
Visit the castle on a beautiful autumn day. Thank you for this piece of history shared with enthusiasts who transported us to the world of the Vikings.

Gautier NICOLAS (5 years ago)
This magnificent castle dominates its village

reynald royer (5 years ago)
No one can not visit it is useless to remain marked in the visits to be made

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

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The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Château-sur-Epte Ruins

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