Vitré - Descriptions & Excursions.

Vitré is a very beautiful medieval town with a rich cultural heritage. in the region of Brittany, France. Vitré lies on the edge of Brittany, 38 km from Rennes - the capital of Brittany. The town has been designated "ville d'art et d'histoire", a town of artistic and historic significance, by the Ministry of Culture in recognition of its rich cultural heritage. Vitré is a very good example of the medieval cities with castles, churches, very old houses of 15th century, historic monuments, parks and nature.

The site of Vitré was occupied in Gallo-Roman times. The name Vitré comes from the Gallo-Roman name "Victor" or "Victrix", after the owner of a farm in the region. The year 1000 marked the formal birth of Vitré, when the duke of Brittany Geoffrey I bestowed feudal powers upon Riwallon Le Vicaire, who was charged with keeping this strategic area as a buffer zone of the "Marches of Brittany".

Castle of Vitré

The current Vitre Castle was founded around 1050 by Baron Robert I on a ridge next to the Vilaine River Valley. Around 200 years later, 3 towers were built in a triangle shape, giving it the general geometry that can be seen today. Over the next 300 years it was added onto by other noblemen. It currently lies in the state that it was in during the 16th century.

In the 17th century, having withstood several sieges after the Huguenot wars, the castle lost its significance, was abandoned and began to gradually collapse. In the 19th century, there was a prison, and later a barracks. But by the end of the 19th century, the city bought the castle, which was recognized as a historical monument, and gradually began to restore it.

The castle contains today a museum and the city hall. The castle courtyard is free to enter and gives you a good perspective of the architecture.

More information You can see at the Official site of Vitré Tourist Office.