Welcome to the Château de Gaillon, the first Renaissance château in France, which has hosted some of the most illustrious kings: Louis XII and Anne of Brittany, Francis I, Charles IX and Catherine de Medici, Henry IV, Louis XIV accompanied by his mother Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin, and Louis XVI… A thousand years of history unfold here within the stones of this historic edifice, which has evolved from a humble fortified castle into one of the most beautiful châteaux in the kingdom, envied throughout Europe. It is an epic tale woven with mystery, glory, and darkness that shapes this jewel of our heritage. In the 12th century, Gaillon was a key player in the power struggle between Philip Augustus and Richard the Lionheart, a silent witness to the conflicts between the kingdoms of France and England. Wandering through the remains of the moat and the foundations of the old towers, we are transported back to a time when Gaillon was a living border between two conflicting worlds. In 1262, a new era began when Louis IX, known as Saint Louis, ceded the castle to the Archbishop of Rouen, Eudes Rigaud, who rebuilt it from ruins into a welcoming episcopal residence. It was Georges d’Amboise, in 1502, who truly brought Gaillon to its former glory, marking a radical stylistic shift inspired by his travels in Italy, transforming it into the first Renaissance château in France.

The sumptuous gardens, detailed frescoes, and elaborate sculptures create a harmony between the flamboyant Gothic style and the new influences of the Renaissance. This monumental undertaking employed 1,800 workers for ten years, making Gaillon a unique architectural masterpiece in France. In 1812, and for nearly a century afterward, this magnificent castle became a prison, housing up to 50,000 inmates. Tales of shattered lives and improbable redemptions are etched into the very walls of this fortress-turned-prison. During the Second World War, Gaillon took on a different character, sheltering approximately four hundred Spanish refugees before being occupied by the Germans in 1940. They established a detention camp there, which later became a place of incarceration for collaborators after the Liberation. Every stone of this imposing edifice preserves the memory of these tragic and heroic stories, adding a unique historical depth to our visit.

GAILLON CASTLE
Allée de l’Ermitage, 27600 Gaillon
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Full price: €3, Reduced price: €2
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