Details
Founded: 15th centuryCategory: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)
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Located between the city of Le Mans and that of Chartres, at the border of the Departments of Eure- et-Loir, Loir et Cher and Sarthe, Montmirail stands as a picturesque village which is home to its eponymous castle, a quite rightly exceptional site in many respects. This 15th century castle stands out indeed for its unobstructed view over the Sarthe Perche country which it overlooks from an altitude of more than 200 m. Its outstanding architecture reflects many periods, from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance period, the 17th and 18th centuries.
Dated as a roman site in the antiquity, then built as a simple wooden tower in the 5th century. The wooden structure edifice evolved over the years to eventually disappear and make place to the famous U shaped castle which struts over a central courtyard.
This medieval fortress now stands in contrast with the 18th century castle, the latter being a fully fledged dwelling where major historical figures resided.
References:The first written record of church in Danmark locality date back to the year 1291. Close to the church are several stones with a Christian text and cross inscribed. The oldest parts of the present red-brick church are from the 1300s. In the late 1400s the church was enlarged to the appearance it has today. The church has been modified both internally and externally several times, among other things after the fires in 1699 and 1889. There are lot of well-preserved mural paintings in the walls.