Le Mans Castle

Le Mans Castle, locally known as Château du Mans, lies in the city of Le Mans in the Sarthe department in France.

In 1063, William the Conqueror invaded the County of Maine and took the city of Le Mans. To consolidate his power over the city, he then ordered the construction of a large keep at the northern end of the city. It not only was meant to control the citizens, but also to protect the extremely vulnerable northern entrance to the city. This keep, named the Orbrindelle Tower but which was also known just as the 'Grosse Tour' (Big Tower), leaned on the northern Gallo-Roman city wall, which had become ruinous over time.

At first, the keep was protected by an entrenched camp until 1138 when stone walls replaced the camp. The 5-storey Norman keep, which was situated close to the Le Mans Cathedral, then was used mainly as a prison. Over time the fortifications around the keep grew and it became a castle into which a city gate was integrated. When the city was besieged in 1475, the keep was equipped with no less than 3 drawbridges.

The defenses of Le Mans Castle were well maintained until the 16th century. In 1617, Charles de Valois, Count of Auvergne and Duke of Angoulême, finally ordered the demolition of the castle. For the next 20 years it would become a large stone quarry for the citizens. As a result the 11th century keep completely disappeared.

What remains of the castle today is a curtain wall with 3 towers; the Tour Ribandelle on one end, which looks like it is cut in half, the Tour du Papegay in the middle and a nameless one at the other end. The shape of the square behind them seems to indicate that the castle had a somewhat elliptical ground plan. Houses were built up against the wall and towers on the inside, so they can't be seen from that side.

So, even though the remains of Le Mans Castle are not much, I still like them. Also, do visit the beautiful medieval city center of Le Mans, with its large stretches of remaining Gallo-Roman city walls.

Gallery