Château de Gisors

Château de Gisors is a medieval castle ruin featuring an octagonal stone keep and a three-story round tower in Normandy. The site is surrounded by extensive defensive walls reinforced with eight towers and protected by deep moats.

William II of England ordered construction of this fortress in 1097 to defend Norman territories against French advances, starting with wooden defenses. The structures were later rebuilt in stone and expanded, reflecting English control in the region over time.

The castle walls hold prisoner graffiti and carved relief details from the 1600s and 1700s, showing how it shifted from a military fortress into a place of confinement. These marks tell stories of different groups of people who lived and stayed within its walls over time.

Visitors can walk through the grounds most days to explore the ruins closely, with paths leading through various parts of the fortress. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended as the terrain is uneven and stairs to the towers are steep.

The octagonal keep here is among the best preserved examples of this rare design in medieval architecture. This shell keep design was a clever solution against siege weapons and stands apart from the typical square towers found at other castles.

Location: Gisors

Inception: 11 century

Founders: William II of England

Architectural style: medieval architecture

GPS coordinates: 49.28080,1.77450

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:20