1 - THE CLOCK TOWER: After crossing the bridge at the castle entrance, one notices the grooves along which slide the portcullis which protected the entrance during the previous centuries: the fixed bridge replaced the 500 year old drawbridge in the XIXth century. Inside, three stories with seven rooms comprise a small museum assigned to Joan of Arc. The roof, supported by machicolation, contains a bell, bearing the name of Marie Javelle, which was smelted in 1349.


2 - THE MAIN HALL: Built by Charles VII, its gable-end bears the fire-place which heated the first floor room which was reached by an outside stone staircase. The remains of the latter can still be seen. It was in this very room that Joan of Arc recognized the Dauphin of France, Charles VII, hidden among the courtiers; subsequently, she succeeded in inspiring in him the courage to reconquer his kingdom.

3 - THE TREASURE TOWER: Built in the XIIth century, only the lower floor vaulted with semicircular arches remains today.

4 - THE ROYAL APARTMENTS: The Royal apartments were connected to the Main Hall by an outside wooden gallery along the courtyard. Four rooms on the ground-floor correspond with four on the first floor all are adorned with very fine Gothic fireplaces. One can walk from one floor to the other by means of four stone staircases. On the ground floor, one can see from East to West: the ammunition dump, the kitchen, the common room, the wine cellar; on the first floor: the Governor's bedroom, two small rooms and the 'Tapestry room' - it was covered with tapestries and was, more than likely, the king's bedroom.
-- The ammunition dump: A model of the castle (1 cm : 1 metre); drawings by J.-H. Deverin; XVI th century Flemish tapestries 'Bear Hunting'; an audiovisual show 'The Genealogy of the Kings of France' (French-English).
-- The Kitchens: 2 XVIIth century Flemish tapestries 'The Wedding of Thétis and Pellé' and 'The judgement of Paris'.
-- The common room: A troubadour painting by Hippolyte Lecomte 'The Meeting of Joan of Arc and Charles VII'; 2 book copies: 'Ingeborge's Book of Psalms' and 'Petites heures du Duc de Berry'.
-- The wine cellar: Examples of stone engravings.

5 - THE MOATS: Dug in the XIIIth century to separate the Middle Fort Castle from the Coudray fort, they always remained waterless. Under the northern curtain one finds an underground passage which is partly blown in. Charles VII used to go through this passage in order to see his mistress, Agnès Sorel, who lived nearby. The moats are spanned by a fixed bridge which has replaced the previous drawbridge.

6 - THE BOISSY TOWER: Built in the XIIth century, it comprises two stories with three arched bays. Before the construction of Saint-Martin's chapel, the upper room was used for divine services. Its coping was demolished and Te chapel no longer exists.

7 - <<< THE MILL TOWER: Constructed in the XIIth century, it was the castle's original keep. It includes three stories of hexagonal vaulted rooms.

8 - THE COUDRAY KEEP: This 25 metres high round tower comprises three stories joined together by stairs built in the wall, which, at its base, measures 3,25 in in diameter. On the ground floor, one finds a circular room with six arched ribs >>> ; the fireplace has been completely destroyed. On the walls, one can distinguish some interesting graffiti engraved by the Templars (kept prisoner here) on the sides of the arches. Tradition says that Joan of Arc lived in the upper room which is lit by one single window; it was converted into a pigeon-house in the XVIII th century. The castle's numerous underground passages radiate from underneath the tower, leading to the well and other various parts of the castle.

9 - THE ARGENTON TOWER: Built towards the end of the XVth century by Philippe de Commines, it includes three stories of arched square rooms. According to tradition, Louis XI locked his prisoners in cages in this tower.

10 - THE DOGS' TOWER: It was built in the XIIth century and comprises three floors of two-bayed rooms. It was used as kennels for the royal packs, hence its name.


| close window | detailed map |