Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

72  BRIT T AN Y REGION B Y REGION

8 Vitré paintings. The top of the Tour
Montafilant commands a superb
Road map F3. * 15,910. £ panorama over the town.
n Place Général de Gaulle; (02) 99 75
04 46. ( Mon & Sat. The Église Notre-Dame, in
∑ bretagne-vitre.com Rue Montafilant, was rebuilt
from 1420 to 1550, and is in the
Unusually well preserved, this Flamboyant Gothic style; this can
fortified town has a wealth of be seen clearly on its southern
picturesque houses. Until the side, which bristles with finials.
end of the 17th century, it owed Inside are altar pieces (see p70) The Breton coat of arms in the Église
its prosperity to the trade in and a beautiful Renaissance Notre-Dame in Vitré
linen cloth, which was exported stained-glass window. A plaque
all over Europe and as far commemorates Field-marshal 9 Château des
away as South America. In Gilles de Rais (see p47), lord Rochers-Sévigné
1472, the Brotherhood of the of Vitré and companion-at-
Annunciation became the arms of Joan of Arc. He was, Road map F3. 8 km (5 miles) south-
organizational force behind however, executed for having east of Vitré via the D88. Tel (02) 99 75
this international trade. murdered children. 04 54. Open Apr–Sep: daily; Mar &
Oct: Wed–Mon. Closed Nov–Feb. &
A succession of powerful Around the church, in Rue 8 obligatory.
lords – Laval, Montmorency d’Embas, Rue Baudrairie, Rue
and Montfort – were prominent St-Louis and Rue de Paris, the This castle, some 8 km (5 miles)
in the region’s history. In the finest medieval and Renaissance southeast of Vitré, was built in
16th century, Guy XVI established houses in Vitré can be seen. the 15th century and later
what amounted to a court in remodelled. It consists of two
Vitré. Château de Vitré, perched Environs wings set at right angles. At the
on a rocky outcrop, is one of the The 15th-century Collégiale de inter section is a poly gonal
great fortresses that defended Champeaux, 9 km (6 miles) west turret, which contains a
the marches of Brittany. It was of Vitré, recalls the former power staircase. The circular tower on
enlarged from the 13th century of the lords of Espinay. It contains the opposite side predates the
onwards. The entrance is canopied Renaissance choir stalls 15th century. The 17th- century
defended by a small castle with notable carvings, as well as chapel has a hull-shaped roof
flanked by machicolated 16th-century stained glass by and is crowned by a lantern.
towers. A triangular wall set with the Fleming Jehan Adrian. On the ground floor of the
towers encloses the complex. north tower, visitors can see a
The museum within the + Château de Vitré plan of the castle as it was in
castle contains a remarkable Place du Château. Tel (02) 99 75 04 54. 1763, and, on the first floor, a
16th-century triptych decorated Open Jan–Feb & Nov–Dec: Mon, portrait of Madame de Sévigné.
with 32 Limoges enamels. Also Wed–Fri and Sat & Sun pm; Mar & Oct: The castle overlooks an elegant
on display are medieval and Wed–Mon; Apr–Sep: daily. & garden, laid out in the
Renaissance sculpture, R Collégiale de Champeaux 17th century by Charles
16th- and 17th-century On the D29. Tel (09) 62 11 20 95 de Sévigné, son
tapestries, and Breton (mairie). Open daily. of the marquise.

The Château de Vitré, once defending the marches of Brittany and now containing a museum
For hotels and restaurants see pp224–5 and pp234–5

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