Château Gaillard

Château Gaillard

Château Gaillard is an abandoned medieval fortress located in the town of Les Andelys, France, overlooking the Seine River as it flows by. The castle lies about 95 km northwest of Paris and approximately 40 km from Rouen.

The castle was constructed by Richard I of England, Duke of Normandy, between 1197 and 1198, with the purpose of protecting Rouen and the Duchy of Normandy, which Richard had acquired from the King of France. Four years after Richard’s death, in 1203, the French King Philip II laid siege to the fortress. During the siege, Philip ordered his men to find weaknesses in the castle's defenses. Eventually, the French managed to infiltrate the castle and secretly hide within it. These soldiers then set fire to parts of the castle from inside, ultimately allowing a coordinated attack that led to its capture.

In the first half of the 15th century, the Hundred Years' War briefly restored some of the castle’s former prominence. By the 16th century, this aged medieval fortress had gradually faded into obscurity. In 1573, Château Gaillard was completely abandoned. By the end of the 16th century, it briefly served as a hideout for bands of outlaws. On June 13, 1603, Capuchin monks were ordered to dismantle the castle’s materials for the repair of their church and convent. Seven years later, this practice was prohibited, and the relatively well-preserved sections of the castle today date from after the issuance of this ban.

Today, Château Gaillard is classified as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture. Its vast ruins tell the story of its storied past. While the outer grounds are open to visitors year-round, the interior is only accessible from March to November each year.

Château Gaillard

Must-visit reason: One of the most magnificent ruins in Upper Normandy

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Upper Normandy Region [Upper Normandy Region]