Castle of Verneuil-sur-Avre, Medieval castle in Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton, France
The Castle of Verneuil-sur-Avre is a medieval fortress positioned on the southern edge of the town, close to the Avre River. The most striking feature is the Grey Tower, which rises impressively above the surroundings, surrounded by several flanking towers like the Saint-Andre Tower, with an ancient moat protecting the entire site.
The fortress was founded around 1120 by Henry I Beauclerc, making Verneuil a major stronghold in Normandy. Later, after the annexation of Normandy, King Philip II had the famous Grey Tower built to monitor the region and maintain control.
The fortress was the seat of authority that shaped interactions between rulers and townspeople. The dual access points to the city and ramparts show how closely governance and defense were intertwined in daily operations.
The fortress is accessible from the outside, allowing visitors to explore the medieval structure and its surroundings. The site with its towers and moat offers varied perspectives and angles for viewing and photographing the fortification.
The king granted municipal freedoms to the town's people even though the new fortress served primarily to watch over the region. This unusual combination of military oversight and civic rights shows a rare balance between authority and trust.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
