Thursday, September 24, 2009

Fougères Castle

Not far from our place in France is Fougères, just inside the Brittany border. I think we have taken nearly all of our visitors through the years to the impressive castle there. In medieval times it was the eastern stronghold of the Duchy of Brittany, trying to keep the French out, which eventually failed. But to this day Bretons have a very strong regional identity. The links with people on the British Isles with a Celtic ancestry are strong and obvious. For instance, whenever there is some cultural celebration you can bet your last cent there will be bagpipes.

Nearly all of the outer wall of the castle is still intact and several towers are also in very good condition. You can hire equipment to go on an audio-guided tour and enjoy a history lesson on-the-go. Or you can do as I did, let your camera lead the way and forget about your company for a while, just wave at them every now and then when your paths cross.

If you want more facts I suggest you google it. In the meantime you might enjoy some of my snaps from last month.

 

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7 comments:

Zuzana said...

Very impressive indeed. Looks like the castles they feature in adventures and fairy tales. Great photographs as well,;)

swenglishexpat said...

Protege - Thank you. It is massive, partly because it should be able to house all the people who lived outside the walls in troubled times. It would not surprise me if some filming has taken place there in the past.

Veronica said...

Love that pink door, obviously her indoors had some say in the decorating!

swenglishexpat said...

Veronica - Yes, but she had locked herself in, so we could only admire the door from the outside!

Veronica said...

Have just had friends leave Lille, on the Eurostar, for London then Singapore and home, after a brilliant river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. I think they are going to be all "castled out"!

LadyFi said...

Love the castle pictures - so fairy-tale like! And the red door set against the red staircase and thick stones is wonderful!

swenglishexpat said...

Veronica - What a river trip that must have been! Love your "castled out".

LadyFi - Yes, that door caught many visitors'/photographers' eyes. But I still wonder what was inside!