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The towers and walls of the Château de Fougères

Château de Fougères

One of Europe's largest medieval fortresses, guarding the old Breton frontier.

Photo: Daniel Jolivet, CC BY 2.0
  • DepartmentIlle-et-Vilaine
  • From Rennes~45 min
  • Built11th–15th centuries
  • Time2 h

Fougères was a frontier town of the Duchy of Brittany, facing France and Normandy. Its castle, built on a rocky outcrop in a loop of the River Nançon, is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe, with a ring of towers and walls covering about two hectares.

Visiting

Visitors can walk the ramparts and climb several towers, with a modern route explaining the castle's history. Below it, the medieval quarter of Saint-Sulpice has a lovely church and timbered houses.

The town

Up the hill, the upper town has a 14th-century belfry, one of the oldest in Brittany, and the public garden offers a classic view over the castle.

Nearby

Vitré, 30 minutes south, has another remarkable castle and a well-preserved old town. Both are under an hour from Rennes and about 45 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel.

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The towers and walls of the Château de Fougères
The towers and walls of the Château de Fougères. Photo: Daniel Jolivet, CC BY 2.0

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