Top 5 Castles around Fontaine-Raoul

Before the 13th century there were two parishes, Saint-Sauveur and Saint-Gilles, in 1300 the bishop of Chartres united them into one by a charter of Berchères, because of the smallness of the two parishes. The church dates from the beginning of the 17th century. Rebuilt on the foundations of an old Romanesque church, its originality comes from its bell tower with saddle roof, its caquetoire and its paneled vault redone in 2003. At the initiative of the Prince Duke of Montmorency-Laval, it has contained the reliquary of Sainte-Félicité since 1838. Saint Félicité, whose relics are in Montigny-le-Gannelon, is a martyr whose life is unknown, whose body was taken from the sacred cemeteries of Rome. We have his body, the skull, the bones of his arms, fingers and feet. They were removed from the Saint-Cyriaque cemetery in 1828 and placed in their respective places on a body artistically modeled in wax and measuring more than 1.40 meters in length. A magnificent chase, of the shape and size of an altar tomb, all furnished with glazing and embellished with gilding received this precious deposit. Pope Leo XII donated it to the Duke of Laval, then Charles X's ambassador to Rome. On his death, he bequeathed it by will to the church of Montigny-le-Gannelon where the old historic castle of Laval-Montmorency is located. The venerated hunt is now placed under the main altar of which it forms the tomb.

The feudal castle of Fréteval is a castle which dates from the 11th century. You can explore the ruins of the fortress, which covers 4.5 hectares and has three lines of defense. You will also be able to see the keep, one of the oldest circular stone towers in France, built of flint. The castle was a strategic location in the conflicts between the Plantagenet kings and the kings of France. The information panels will allow you to learn more about its history. The feudal castle of Fréteval is a remarkable place that will transport you to the Middle Ages.

The Grisset Tower is an astonishing vestige of the Gallo-Roman era. This ancient tower was part of a temple dedicated to Mercury, the god of travelers and commerce. You can marvel at the impressive masonry and vaulted ceiling that have survived almost two thousand years. The tower is located on a hill overlooking the Loir, and you can enjoy panoramic views of the green valley and charming villages.

If you are interested in 15th century history and architecture, you should visit the Manoir du Tertre in Lignières, a manor which was once a feudal stronghold of the canons of Vendôme. You can walk around the mansion and admire the courtyards, towers, chapel and chimneys that have been preserved from the original construction. You will also be able to discover the families who owned the manor over the centuries, such as the Illiers des Radrets and the Plessis-d'Échelles. You can book a guided tour with one of the current owners, who will tell you more about the history and legends of this place. You will need to book in advance, as the manor is not open to the public all year round.

The Feudal Castle of Fréteval is a castle which dates from the 11th century. You can explore the ruins of the fortress, which covers 4.5 hectares and has three lines of defense. You will also be able to see the keep, one of the oldest circular stone towers in France, built in flint. The castle was a strategic location in the conflicts between the Plantagenet kings and the kings of France, and you can learn more about its history from the information panels. The feudal castle of Fréteval is a remarkable place that will transport you to the Middle Ages.

The Grisset Tower is an astonishing vestige of the Gallo-Roman era. This ancient tower was once part of a temple dedicated to Mercury, the god of travelers and commerce. You can marvel at the impressive stonework and vaulted ceiling, which have survived almost two thousand years. The tower is located on a hill overlooking the Loir, and you can enjoy panoramic views of the green valley and charming villages. The hike is easy and pleasant, but be sure to wear good shoes and bring water and snacks. You can also explore the ruins of a bath complex and other buildings that belonged to a small Roman town. The Tour de Grisset is a hidden gem that will take you back in time and bring you closer to nature.

The remains of the castle of Fréteval date from the 11th century. Its dungeon would be one of the first in a circular shape in France. As such, it is registered on the list of historical monuments. On site, you can picnic by sitting at one of the tables provided for this purpose near the site.

Very pleasant walk