Vitre - 6/7 - Part I

Up and out, we visited the Chateaux de Vitre, rounding out our castle tour and experience. Construction began in the late 11th century when Baron Robert I of Vitré established the stone fortress on this naturally defensive site. Renovations around 1420 served not only defensive purposes but also affirmed seigneurial power during periods of English presence in Maine. The castle is fully intact; during the Wars of Religion, when it resisted a five-month siege by the Duke of Mercœur in 1589 and emerged unscathed. It was never captured or conquered.

The castle has an impressive triangular shape and is home to the Cruxifixion of the Overseas Merchants, below. The stolen and recovered wooden panel painting was created around 1490, and originally acquired by the Brotherhood of Overseas Merchants to decorate their chapel in the Notre-Dame church in Vitré. Look closely and you can 7 merchants gathered around the crucifixion. It was stolen on April 17, 1969, and resurfaced 50 years later at an auction in Lille, before being returned to the city in 2019.

We quickly departed and headed to Nantes where, after dropping off our luggage at the hotel and depositing Le Bateau at the rental agency, we had a magnificent lunch at La Loco. Braised Pork Shank (for me) with sausage and cabbage and potatoes. Then a Grand Marnier soufflé for me and Crepes Suzette for Richard. Ooh la la.Read more