Chateau Hopping in Bretagne

We've seen some beautiful old chateau, around the countryside. Not the refined country homes of the very wealthy found in the Loire Valley, these are huge defensive fortresses.

We first encountered a smaller one with many walls falling down but the four main towers intact. It's Chateau de la Hunaudaye (Paul's favorite),

which we first visited after closing time and without much light, but we returned to investigate further and caught these views with some sunlight support

Another day we journeyed south to a lovely old-world town of Vitre. Its fortified chateau, ramparts

and small streets are just as they were 500 years ago. In those days the town thrived producing hemp, woolen cloth and cotton stockings sold throughout Europe and even America and the Indies. The tradesmen built beautiful half-timbered homes, many of which still stand. And, of course, their lovely old church right in the middle.

The Cathedral isn't really tilted; it's the photographer.

From Vitre we headed back north to Fougeres. On the border of Brittany and France everyone wanted it, so it acquired great military importance in the early middle ages. In 1166, Henry II surrounded the castle which capitulated after a 3 month seige, but throughout the centuries many other leaders were defeated and the fief passed onward to many noblemen. After Brittany and France unified around 1532, there was a succession of governors, then it was used as a prison. The town bought the castle in 1892.

On to Combourg where the castle dates back to the 11C, some parts restored in the 19C. The great French writer Chateaubriand lived here in the almost deserted castle with stern silent parents in 18C, sharing the loneliness, boredom and haunted castle feelings only with his sister.

Danice at the Henri II Port at the Chateau.

And last, could be least depending on one's perspective, we followed a barely marked turn-off from a small country road to look for an abandoned Chateau. Parking was provided next to a cow pasture, but no Chateau or further signs in sight. So we bid the cows a kind bonjour and treaded across their pasture, up a hill and down a charming wooded path to finally see the remains, surrounded by weeds and thicket. Quite a contrast to the perfectly landscaped castles and cathedrals other towns proudly display.

That's it for Chateau.

We hope to do one more post, and Paul has grandiose plans for putting more pics somewhere on the web. Bet you can't wait for that. Home soon.