Vieille Cour Castle, Medieval castle in Oudon, France.
Vieille Cour Castle is a ruined fortress on a hillside overlooking the Hâvre valley, with a southern gable wall standing about ten meters high. The structure retains traces of medieval defensive architecture including wall sections and a gatehouse from its original construction.
The fortress was demolished in 1392 on orders from Alain de Malestroit, who received permission from Duke John IV of Brittany to build a replacement. This destruction reflected the strategic reorganization of regional defenses during the late medieval period.
The ruins display medieval defensive design through visible walls and a gatehouse that reveal how the site once protected the surrounding lands. The elevated position shows how carefully the location was chosen to control the valley below.
The ruins are maintained by a local association and can be visited during European Heritage Days events throughout the year. The hillside location offers good views and is accessible on foot, though sturdy shoes are recommended for the uneven terrain.
The rocky foundation beneath the castle provided natural structural support that eliminated the need for artificial foundations on the hillside. This geological advantage was one reason why strategists selected this particular location for defensive construction.
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