THE OLD CASTLE
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Visit the old château on the Ile d'Yeu, a site with the best moat in the world.
It is undoubtedly one of the emblematic places of the island of Yeu! On an exceptional site perched on a particularly steep rocky islet, a fortified castle was built in the 14th century, under the aegis of Olivier de Clisson, benefiting from the best moat there is, since it is formed by the sea and the cliff. You have to cross the impressive drawbridge and discover, from the inner courtyard, the remains of the partly ruined castle. It was dismantled on the orders of Louis XIV after having suffered attacks due to clashes between the French, English and Spanish. A refuge for the island population during the many incursions that punctuate its history, the guided tour of this medieval fortress provides an insight into the military architecture of the 14th to 17th centuries and the living conditions on an island under the former regime. Around its central courtyard are grouped the buildings and amenities necessary for the daily life of its defenders (bakery, kitchen, forge, dwelling ...). The tower that rises on the left as you enter, with its splendid rooms leading to a turret worthy of a Hitchcock film. The tour will take you from the castle courtyard to its towers and the parapet walk. During the guided tour, you will learn how the defence of such a building and the life of its inhabitants was organised during the Ancien Régime. Impressive of wild beauty, this Old Castle will remain engraved in your memory. It was classified as a historical monument in 1890.
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Members' reviews on THE OLD CASTLE
Son histoire y est justement contée dans la cour du château et on visite pièce apres pièce le château délaissé par ses occupants, mais pas les touristes ! Patience, et bonne visite !
Le lieu est fortement agréable et le château se marie à merveille avec la nature environnante rempli de végétaux, de landes renforçant le romantisme du château