Exploring Castle Ruins

 

Today, we are paying a visit to the ruins of the Château du Guildo on the banks of the Arguenon, right where it flows into the English Channel. A first construction dates back to the 11th century, but not much from that period remains on the site.

We enter through this beautiful arched gate.

This wasn't the only arched gate, there were a few more, all of them beautiful.

In the 13th century, the site was razed and the castle rebuilt in stone, with new defensive systems, moats, towers, gatehouse, chapel and other buildings. It must have been quite impressive. However, during the War of Succession of Brittany (1341-1364) - at the same time as the Hundred Years War and the Black Death epidemic - the castle was destroyed again. At the end of the 14th century it was probably Charles de Dinan who took an interest to the site and the castle was completely rebuilt on the old remains. This castle had a courtyard with a cistern well in the middle, and this enclosure is what we still see today (left picture).

The mid-15th century was the heyday of the château, when it belonged to Françoise de Dinan who was the heiress to several great Breton families. She carried out many improvements and embellishment operations. This period until Françoise de Dinan's death in 1499 was the peak of the château and never later regained its former splendor.

During the Franco-Breton War (1489-1491), which was a first step toward the annexation of Brittany in 1514, the château was greatly damamged. Even though it was slowly reconstructed in the first half of the 16th century, it experienced its worst damage during the War of the League (1588-1598), a religious war. It was more or less abandoned after a few more sieges.

It is now classified as a Historic Monument and Sensitive Natural Area. For 20 years there had been archaeological excavations to eventually represent it as it must have been in the 14th and 16th century.

Grasses and plants were growing out of the ancient walls. It's always amazing to witness how nature takes control.

The damsel of the castle (and thankfully not in distress).

I always like the views from windows and openings, especially when these openings are pretty old.

The view from the château over the Arguenon toward the English Channel...

... and from the other side of the river.

I hope you enjoyed this visit to the ruins of Château du Guildo. Now I need a picture of a drink for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's T Tuesday. During the colder days of winter, the Geek and I love to have hot chocolate in the late afternoon. This one is topped with a stroopwafel that we love to enjoy the Dutch way - it is a Dutch treat after all: put it on top of a hot drink to warm the cookie and soften the syrup - pure delight!