Château de Montargis, Medieval royal castle in Montargis, France.
Château de Montargis is a ruined medieval castle in Montargis, in the Loiret department of north-central France, set on a rocky plateau above the Loing Valley. What remains today are sections of stone walls, tower foundations, and traces of a moat that once surrounded the fortification.
The castle dates back to the 10th century and was originally controlled by the counts of Gâtinais before passing into the French royal domain in the 12th century. Over the following centuries it served as a royal residence and was gradually expanded before falling into disuse and ruin after the 17th century.
The name Montargis is said to come from a local legend involving a dog that exposed its master's murderer before a medieval court. Today, a stone carving of this dog can be found in the town, and the story remains tied to the identity of the place.
The ruins are located in the center of Montargis and can be reached on foot from the town core without much difficulty. The ground is uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is a good idea, and some sections may be fenced off depending on the time of year.
The castle is one of the few royal fortifications in the region that was never taken by English forces during the Hundred Years War. This made it a point of refuge for parts of the French court at a time when many nearby strongholds had fallen.
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