Château d'Arques-la-Bataille

Description

Château d'Arques-la-Bataille was originally a motte-and-bailey castle built to the steep hill around 1050. The castle was reconstruted in the 12th century. The long curtain wall and moat surrounded the Norman style donjon, a keep. The castle saw several battles and besieges during the centuries; the rebellion in 1052, Hundred Years' War and the most well-known in 1589 as part of the Wars of Religion. In 1688 the château was abandoned and later partially demolished and sold as the private property. Today the magnificent Château d'Arques-la-Bataille lies in ruins.