Medieval Games at Château de Fontaine – Henry in Normandy

We are visiting family in Normandy and decided to explore the Château de Fontaine-Henry. The same family has owned this chateau over the past ten centuries. It went from being a fortress in the eleventh century to a castle in the thirteenth century. What remains from this period is the chapel and vaulted rooms. The castle was rebuilt after the Hundred Years War, taking a century to finish. It is still inhabited by this family with most of the decoration and furnishings from the Renaissance period, and a collection of paintings from the Revolution.

We paid for the tour of the castle and it was well worth it. The guide only did the tour in French, but knew enough English so that I could ask her questions. My mother-in-law watched my daughter while we took the tour because it was impossible to bring the stroller and I left my carrier at the house.

Visitors are not allowed to take photographs of the interior, so here are a couple from its website…

Sitting with my daughter in the gift shop at the entrance of the castle grounds. She is waiving to everyone who gives her eye contact.

The front of the chateau.

There are figures like these placed all around the gardens to represent particular people from this period.

The cathedral next to the chateau. The interior is open to the public and we were able to view an art exhibit inside.

The right side of the chateau.

Playing games on the castle grounds.

Competing against my husband on a difficult game.

British tourists having tea in the garden.

Share this: