Top Historic Sights in Mantes-la-Jolie, France
Explore the historic highlights of Mantes-la-Jolie
Notre Dame de Mantes
The medieval Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Mantes is a large and historically important Catholic church constructed between c.1155 and 1350. Its grandeur, its quirky design and its strong associations with the Capetian dynasty make the church particularly interesting to architectural historians. Construction of the present church began some time between 1155 and 1170, funded by income from the Commune and by the gener ...
Founded: c. 1155 |
Location:
Mantes-la-Jolie, France
Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
Photo from Flickr, copyright Jose Antonio Abad
Historic Site of the week
Cháteau Comtal
The Château Comtal (Count’s Castle) is a medieval castle within the Cité of Carcassonne, the largest city in Europe with its city walls still intact. The Château Comtal has a strong claim to be called a 'Cathar Castle'. When the Catholic Crusader army arrived in 1209 they first attacked Raymond-Roger Trencavel's castrum at Bèziers and then moved on to his main stronghold at Carcassonne.
The castle with rectangular shape is separated from the city by a deep ditch and defended by two barbicans. There are six towers curtain walls.
The castle was restored in 1853 by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.