Tonquédec Castle
| Tonquédec Castle | ||
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 Aerial view of Tonquédec Castle |
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| Creation time : | 15th century, previous system 12th century | |
| Castle type : | Hilltop castle | |
| Conservation status: | ruin | |
| Place: | Tonquédec | |
| Geographical location | 48 ° 40 '36 " N , 3 ° 24' 42" W | |
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Tonquédec Castle (French: Château de Tonquédec ) is the ruin of a hilltop castle in Brittany . It is located a few kilometers northwest of the town of Tonquédec above the valley of the Léguer river . With its nine towers and two mountain tombs, the castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Côtes-d'Armor department .
history
The current castle complex was built in the 15th century instead of a previous fortress from the 12th century. This was built on behalf of the Coëtmen-Penthièvre family . The lords of the castle Rolland II. And Rolland III. de Coëtmen were allied with Olivier V. de Clisson , who was on the side of Charles V and therefore was in dispute with John IV, Duke of Brittany . In 1395, therefore, the old castle was partially demolished on the orders of Johann.
Roland IV. De Coëtmen had the castle rebuilt between 1406 and 1460. A second expansion phase followed between 1470 and 1500, due to the attempt by the Kingdom of France to undermine the autonomy of Brittany. In the following years the facility changed hands several times. During the Huguenot Wars , the Protestant owner Gouyon de La Moussaye had the castle modernized between 1570 and 1598 and expanded into a fortress equipped with artillery . The castle temporarily became a refuge for Huguenots . By order of Richelieu , the castle was razed in 1626.
reconstruction
The castle ruin has been a listed building since 1862 . It has been classified as a monument historique by the French Ministère de la Culture . Tonquédec Castle has been owned by the Rougé family , descendants of the Coëtmen family, who have been rebuilding the complex to this day, since 1881 . Archaeological excavations are taking place on the castle grounds to research details about life in a medieval castle.
