lavardin_txt

The first castle built on this site dates from 1030 and as customary in that period, it was made of wood and mud - the first stone keep dates from 1070. At the end of the twelfth century the lords of Lavardin added towers and tripled the facing: the fortress was the most secure in the Vendômois. The castle of Lavardin was the main stronghold of the Counts de Vendôme since the XIIth century and its strategic importance greatly increased in the XIIth century owing to its location half-way between the kingdom of France under the Capets and the possessions of the Angevin kings.

Because of its location on the border between the holdings of the Capetian Kings of France and the Kings of Anjou, it was to play an important role in many events. In 1188, after having taken Troo (not the current 'Château de La Voûte' in Troo, but a castle once probably situated near the church) and Montoire, Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart, mounted an unsuccessful siege of the castle.

In the fourteenth century the castle was adapted for new strategies. In the XVth and XVIth centuries the buildings were remodeled. In 1589, during the religious wars, it was taken over by the troops of the Catholic League; in 1590 it was besieged for three weeks and conquered by the Prince of Conti, commander of the forces of King Henry IV. The king, who as Duke de Vendôme owned the castle, had it demolished to punish the Bourbon-Vendôme dynasties. The ruins that remain are nonetheless impressive.

Though severely damaged by the elements, the ruins of Lavardin fortress situated on a plateau above the Loir Valley still give a clear idea of three circles of walls around the small castle (XVIth century), the 26 metres (85 feet) tall rectangular tower (XIth century), which was flanked by two equally tall towers in the XIIth century and, the gatehouse (XIIth-XVth century). The final circle of walls known as the "shirt" is the best preserved. The cleaved keep of Lavardin still is a fine sight, overlooking its village and the Loir valley from a great height. The path and flight of steps skirting the south side of the castle ruins offer a good view of the gatehouse and the keep.

The priory (Prieuré St. Genest) was built in an archaic Romanesque style with a square belfry porch. Low-relief sculptures have been reused in the structure; those in the apse represent the signs of the zodiac. One should not miss the Church of St. Genest at the foot of the castle, where there are interesting murals from the XIIth to XVIth centuries. The church is divided into three parts by square piers capped by delicately carved early-XIIth century imposts. The chancel, which is entered through a triumphal arch, ends in an oven-vaulted apse, where curious Romanesque pillars, probably part of an earlier building, support roughly hewn capitals. The windows in the north aisle are framed by delightful twisted Romanesque colonnettes.

The mural paintings date from the XIIth to XVIth century. The oldest, most stylized and majestic ones are on the pillar at the entrance to the left apsidal chapel, depicting the Baptism of Christ (picture at left) and a Tree of Jesse (right).

The well-conserved group in the chancel and apse shows scenes from the Passion and the Washing of the Feet on either side of a Christ in Majesty surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists.

In the right apsidal chapel note a St Christopher and Last Judgement (XVth) where Paradise (above) and Hell are colourfully portrayed.

Note the Martyrdom of St Margaret on the wall of the south aisle and the Crucifixion of St Peter on a pillar on the north side of the nave.

On the pillars in the nave and aisles are XVIth century figures of saints venerated locally.

Saints from left to right:

Saint Thibault and Saint Maur

Saint Jean l'Evangéliste

Saint Liboire and Saint Genest

Saint Ambroise

___ ___ ___

Old houses: one is XVth century and half-timbered while the other is Renaissance with an overhanging oratory, pilastered, mullioned dormer windows and a loggia overlooking the courtyard.

The bridge (sources don't agree on the date of building: the XIIth or XIIIth century) offers an attractive view of the lush green banks of the rivers and the village.

'Le Mairie' (town hall) contains two beautiful XIth century rooms with handsome XVth century vaulted ceilings; that on the ground floor is used for exhibitions.

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detailed map \|		An important role in many events.... THE CASTLE OF LAVARDIN (Le Château de Lavardin)

The first castle built on this site dates from 1030 and as customary in that period, it was made of wood and mud - the first stone keep dates from 1070. At the end of the twelfth century the lords of Lavardin added towers and tripled the facing: the fortress was the most secure in the Vendômois. The castle of Lavardin was the main stronghold of the Counts de Vendôme since the XIIth century and its strategic importance greatly increased in the XIIth century owing to its location half-way between the kingdom of France under the Capets and the possessions of the Angevin kings. Because of its location on the border between the holdings of the Capetian Kings of France and the Kings of Anjou, it was to play an important role in many events. In 1188, after having taken Troo (not the current 'Château de La Voûte' in Troo, but a castle once probably situated near the church) and Montoire, Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart, mounted an unsuccessful siege of the castle. In the fourteenth century the castle was adapted for new strategies. In the XVth and XVIth centuries the buildings were remodeled. In 1589, during the religious wars, it was taken over by the troops of the Catholic League; in 1590 it was besieged for three weeks and conquered by the Prince of Conti, commander of the forces of King Henry IV. The king, who as Duke de Vendôme owned the castle, had it demolished to punish the Bourbon-Vendôme dynasties. The ruins that remain are nonetheless impressive. Though severely damaged by the elements, the ruins of Lavardin fortress situated on a plateau above the Loir Valley still give a clear idea of three circles of walls around the small castle (XVIth century), the 26 metres (85 feet) tall rectangular tower (XIth century), which was flanked by two equally tall towers in the XIIth century and, the gatehouse (XIIth-XVth century). The final circle of walls known as the "shirt" is the best preserved. The cleaved keep of Lavardin still is a fine sight, overlooking its village and the Loir valley from a great height. The path and flight of steps skirting the south side of the castle ruins offer a good view of the gatehouse and the keep. The priory (Prieuré St. Genest) was built in an archaic Romanesque style with a square belfry porch. Low-relief sculptures have been reused in the structure; those in the apse represent the signs of the zodiac. One should not miss the Church of St. Genest at the foot of the castle, where there are interesting murals from the XIIth to XVIth centuries. The church is divided into three parts by square piers capped by delicately carved early-XIIth century imposts. The chancel, which is entered through a triumphal arch, ends in an oven-vaulted apse, where curious Romanesque pillars, probably part of an earlier building, support roughly hewn capitals. The windows in the north aisle are framed by delightful twisted Romanesque colonnettes. The mural paintings date from the XIIth to XVIth century. The oldest, most stylized and majestic ones are on the pillar at the entrance to the left apsidal chapel, depicting the Baptism of Christ (picture at left) and a Tree of Jesse (right). The well-conserved group in the chancel and apse shows scenes from the Passion and the Washing of the Feet on either side of a Christ in Majesty surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists. In the right apsidal chapel note a St Christopher and Last Judgement (XVth) where Paradise (above) and Hell are colourfully portrayed. Note the Martyrdom of St Margaret on the wall of the south aisle and the Crucifixion of St Peter on a pillar on the north side of the nave. On the pillars in the nave and aisles are XVIth century figures of saints venerated locally. Saints from left to right: Saint Thibault and Saint Maur Saint Jean l'Evangéliste Saint Liboire and Saint Genest Saint Ambroise ___ ___ ___ Old houses: one is XVth century and half-timbered while the other is Renaissance with an overhanging oratory, pilastered, mullioned dormer windows and a loggia overlooking the courtyard. The bridge (sources don't agree on the date of building: the XIIth or XIIIth century) offers an attractive view of the lush green banks of the rivers and the village. 'Le Mairie' (town hall) contains two beautiful XIth century rooms with handsome XVth century vaulted ceilings; that on the ground floor is used for exhibitions. \| \| detailed map \|