The Lionheart's castle, Normandy

The world is littered with castles, once majestic but now standing as ghostly reminders to the way we once lived. Château Gaillard was built on the banks of the Seine between 1196 and 1198 on the orders of Richard the Lionheart, then king of England and duke of Normandy. The stronghold – north-west of Paris – was as close as possible to the border between Richard’s Normandy and the territories of the French king. 
France, Eure, Les Andelys, Chateau Gaillard, 12th century fortress built by Richard the Lionheart (aerial view). The world is littered with castles, once majestic but now standing as ghostly reminders to the way we once lived. Château Gaillard was built on the banks of the Seine between 1196 and 1198 on the orders of Richard the Lionheart, (king of England and duke of Normandy). The stronghold – north-west of Paris – was as close as possible to the border between Richard’s Normandy and the territories of the French king. It was supposed to be impregnable but fell to the French in 1204. The chateau is among 100 forts featured in Abandoned Castles by Kieron Connolly (Amber Books, £19.99).
It was supposed to be impregnable but fell to the French in 1204. The chateau is among 100 forts featured in Abandoned Castles by Kieron Connolly . Photograph: Francis Cormon/Alamy


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