Day 12-- Loire Valley region

The Château d'Angers , Loire Valley

Founded in the 9th century by the Counts of Anjou, it was expanded to its current size in the 13th century. It is located overhanging the river Maine.

Originally, the Château d'Angers was built as a fortress at a site inhabited by the Romans because of its strategic defensive location.

In the early 15th century, the hapless dauphin who, with the assistance of Joan of Arc would become King Charles VII, had to flee Paris and was given sanctuary at the Château d' Angers.

In 1562, Catherine de' Medici had the castle restored as a powerful fortress, but, her son, Henry III, reduced the height of the towers and had the towers and walls stripped of their embattlements; Henry III used the castle stones to build streets and develop the village of Angers.

castleAngersWendy Baker PhotographyEuropeFranceTravelPlacesabbeyancientarchitecturebasilicabellcapitalcathedralchurchcitydayfaithlandmarkmedievalprayerreligionsaintsitesteeplestonetourismtouristictowervintagemiddle agestapastryapocalypse