Chateau de Rouen (Rouen Castle)

Castle in Rouen

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon

The Château de Rouen, also known as Château Bouvreuil, was a formidable medieval fortress constructed between 1204 and 1210 under the reign of King Philip II of France. Erected on the site of a former Roman amphitheater, the castle symbolized the consolidation of royal power following the French conquest of Normandy from the English crown. Its strategic location on Bouvreuil Hill allowed for oversight of the city, and its robust design featured a polygonal layout with ten towers, including a prominent circular keep. This keep, known today as the Tour Jeanne d'Arc, stands as the sole surviving structure of the original complex.

Throughout its history, the castle played a pivotal role in regional governance and military affairs. During the Hundred Years' War, it served as the administrative center for both French and English authorities, housing the Exchequer of Normandy and later the Parlement of Rouen. Notably, the castle was the site of Joan of Arc's imprisonment and trial in 1431. While she was primarily held in the now-lost Tour de la Pucelle, one of her trial sessions took place in the keep, where she was shown instruments of torture but remained resolute.

The castle's military significance waned with the advent of artillery, leading to its dismantlement in 1591, save for the keep. In the 19th century, the Tour Jeanne d'Arc underwent restoration, including the addition of its conical roof. During World War II, the tower was repurposed as a bunker by German forces. Today, the Tour Jeanne d'Arc is open to the public, offering insights into its storied past and serving as a testament to Rouen's rich historical tapestry.

The Chateau de Rouen (Rouen Castle) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen!

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