Château-Gaillard, Medieval castle and archaeological museum in Vannes, France
Château-Gaillard is a castle and archaeological museum in Vannes comprising two stone structures connected by a polygonal tower with an interior spiral staircase. The exterior displays decorative mullioned windows typical of medieval design.
The castle was commissioned by Cardinal Jean de Malestroit in 1410 and served as an administrative center for the Duchy of Brittany. Its architecture reflected the political power it represented during Brittany's period as an independent state.
The castle holds artifacts from megalithic sites and Gallo-Roman digs in the region. These objects show how people lived here across thousands of years.
The museum sits on Rue Noé and is easily reached on foot from the city center. Guided tours are offered regularly and help visitors understand the medieval architecture and collections in more detail.
In the 17th century Pierre de Sérent, president of the presidial court of Vannes, commissioned the cabinet of the Desert Fathers: 66 wooden panels depicting lands and eras after engravings of works by the painter Maarten de Vos. The panels remain among the building's fittings.
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