Château de Lillebonne, Medieval castle ruins in Lillebonne, France.
Château de Lillebonne is the ruin of a medieval fortress that contains a thick cylindrical tower and an octagonal turret. The site sits on the grounds of a former Roman settlement and still shows clear remains of those ancient times.
The fortress was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror to secure Normandy. French kings added fortifications and moats later to strengthen control over the region.
This fortress marks a place that has been inhabited since ancient times, and its remaining walls show the different periods of its use. Visitors can see the layers of Norman and Roman history written into the stones themselves.
The site is located east of Notre-Dame Church and within walking distance of the Gallo-Roman museum and ancient theater. It is easy to visit all three attractions on the same day since they are close together.
In the early 1700s, thieves stripped the roof of its lead to sell the material, causing water damage that triggered the slow collapse of the structure. This destructive process shaped the ruin as visitors see it today.
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