Chef-d'œuvre d‘architecture militaire
médiévale, il est l'un des plus
anciens châteaux forts normands,
parmi les mieux conservés grâce à la
remarquable restauration initiée depuis
1966. sous l'impulsion de l‘abbé Marcel
Lelégard (1925-1994).
Bâti au Xlle siècle sur un îlot artificiel
entouré de trois douves et de cinq
portes fortifiées, les portes défensives
s'ouvrent sur un ensemble exceptionnel:
la boulangerie, le pressoir. la salle des
Plaids (avec la Tapisserie de Pirou), le
Vieux logis (salle des gardes, salle à
manger, cuisines) et le chemin de ronde
avec ses belles toitures en schiste.
This masterpiece of medieval military
architecture is one of the oldest Norman
castles, and one of the best preserved,
thanks to remarkable restoration that
began in 1966 at the instigation of Abbé
Michel Lelégard (1925-1994).
Pirou was built in the 12th century on an
artificial island surrounded by three moats,
its five fortified gateways opening on to
a remarkable architectural ensemble: a
bakery, a cider press house, the Salle des
Plaids or court of justice (where the Pirou
Tapestry is now displayed), the original
core of the castle (guardroom, refectory,
kitchens) and the walk-walk around the
fine stones-slate roofs.
Chef-d'œuvre d‘architecture militaire
médiévale, il est l'un des plus
anciens châteaux forts normands,
parmi les mieux conservés grâce à la
remarquable restauration initiée depuis
1966. sous l'impulsion de l‘abbé Marcel
Lelégard (1925-1994).
Bâti au Xlle siècle sur un îlot artificiel
entouré de trois douves et de cinq
portes fortifiées, les portes défensives
s'ouvrent sur un ensemble exceptionnel:
la boulangerie, le pressoir. la salle des
Plaids (avec la Tapisserie de Pirou), le
Vieux logis (salle des gardes, salle à
manger, cuisines) et le chemin de ronde
avec ses belles toitures en schiste.
This masterpiece of medieval military
architecture is one of the oldest Norman
castles, and one of the best preserved,
thanks to remarkable restoration that
began in 1966 at the instigation of Abbé
Michel Lelégard (1925-1994).
Pirou was built in the 12th century on an
artificial island surrounded by three moats,
its five fortified gateways opening on to
a remarkable architectural ensemble: a
bakery, a cider press house, the Salle des
Plaids or court of justice (where the Pirou
Tapestry is now displayed), the original
core of the castle (guardroom, refectory,
kitchens) and the walk-walk around the
fine stones-slate roofs.
This masterpiece of medieval military architecture is one of the oldest Norman castles, and one of the best preserved, thanks to remarkable restoration that began in 1966 at the instigation of Abbé Michel Lelégard (1925-1994). Pirou was built in the 12th century on an artificial island surrounded by three moats, its five fortified gateways opening on to a remarkable architectural ensemble: a bakery, a cider press house, the Salle des Plaids or court of justice (where the Pirou Tapestry is now displayed), the original core of the castle (guardroom, refectory, kitchens) and the walk-walk around the fine stones-slate roofs.