The Château-Gaillard, Les Andelys

Construction of the castle began in 1196 under the direction of Richard the Lionheart. It went up at staggering speed and was completed by 1198. Richard died in 1199 and his hapless brother and successor, King John, would see the castle taken from him. The structure consists of three enclosures separated by dry moats, with a keep (fortified tower) in the inner enclosure.Read more