Near "la tour grise"
For nearly three centuries, the Avre valley had the perilous honor of serving as the border between France and Normandy. Many fortresses were built there as defences. The most important were those of Verneuil, Tillières, Chennebrun and Nonancourt, located on a first line of defense, along the Avre, as well as those of Avrilly, Breteuil, Gouville and Damville, further north, in the second line, facing those of La Ferté Vidame, Senonches, Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais, Brezolles.
In Normandy South Eure, the towns, fortresses and religious buildings today constitute the vestiges of this glorious past. Located less than 30 km from "La Tour Grise", go visit them to extend your discovery of Medieval Normandy.
Museum area of the brotherhoods of charity
The origins of the brotherhoods were born in the Middle Ages, from the need to bury the many dead during plague epidemics.
The brotherhood of Chennebrun was created in 1493 and lasted until the 1950s.
The Notre-Dame church has a museum space where embroidered garments of processions and funeral rites are exhibited.
Breteuil-sur-Iton
Fortified in 1055, Breteuil is one of the first fortresses of the Duchy of Normandy. Thanks to the forced arm of the Iton, the city breathes nature along its canals and green ponds.
It was in the Saint-Sulpice church that William the Conqueror married his daughter Adele in 1081 to Etienne, Count of Blois.
A historical circuit allows you to discover the heritage of the city.
Rugles
The waters of the Risle and the Cauche were diverted to build a medieval fortress.
In the 15th century, this castle was in the hands of the De Coutes family, one of whose members was Joan of Arc's page. His name appears in the list of witnesses to his trial.
In the Middle Ages, the specialty of Rugles was the manufacture of pins, sold throughout Europe.
A historical circuit allows you to discover the heritage of the city.
Tilliere-sur-Avre
The castle was built by the Norman Duke Richard II around 1015 on a rocky outcrop. It consisted of a square keep, surrounded by walls and towers.
There remains today the entrance gate of the castle flanked by a tower and the remains of a perrin, a 12th century house.
A historical route "Along the stones and water" and signs on site allow you to discover the city.
Damville
In the continuity of the strongholds of Tillières and Breteuil, Damville defends the border of the Duchy of Normandy.
Duke Robert the Devil entrusted the town to Gislebert I dit Crespin, who had a fortress built there in 1035. Burned down in 1188, it was rebuilt and refurbished by Richard Coeur de Lion. It was then dismantled at the beginning of the 15th century.
The old castle motte is visible from the historic circuit of Damville.
bourth: le becquet
To meet the needs of the population as well as the necessities of defence, William the Conqueror had a canal dug, around 1030, higher than the natural course, diverting the waters of the Iton, downstream from Francheville, to supply the ditches. of Breteuil. His son, Henri 1st Beauclerc, undertook the same operation to supply the ditches of Verneuil, not being able to use the Avre because it was located below the town.