CHâTEAU DE SUSCINIO

The 'Château de Suscinio' is a French castle, built at the end of the Middle Ages, to be the residence of Duke of Brittany. It is located near the town of Sarzeau in the département of Morbihan, near the Atlantic ocean.

Contents

History

The restoration

See also

External links

History

It was designed to be a place of leisure, between the seaside and a forest for hunting, and the first main building dates from the beginning of the 13th century.
The fortifications were built later, at the end of 14th century, when the heirs of the duchy had to fight to keep their assets (Brittany was not yet part of France), after the castle was taken by Bertrand du Guesclin, Constable of France.
John V and John VI reinforced the castle and built a new tower. A casemate was added at the end of 15th century to protect pieces of artillery. Then, the castle was progressively abandoned. It went to the French crown under Francis I who offered it to one of his mistresses.

During the Revolution, it was sold to a trader who began to sell the stones, and it fell to ruin.

The restoration

The ''département'' of Morbihan bought it in 1965 and began the restoration. A chapel is found in the vicinity; its remarkable tiled floor has been removed is now exhibited in a hall of the castle.
Nowadays, the castle of Suscinio has again the aspect of an intact fortress, but work goes on. Exhibitions and summer events attract many people. Since 1840, the castle has been listed as a ''monument historique'' by the French Ministry of Culture.

See also

★ List of castles in France

External links

★ Ministry of Culture database entry for Château de Suscinio

★ Ministry of Culture photos