After we left the magical Disneyland Paris we drove north towards the Normandy region. Along the way we stopped at the beautiful Chateau Gaillard. The castle ruins sit high above the Seine River and the small town of Les Andelys. A quick stop in town to grab some lunch and we headed to the ruins.
We arrived in the off season and the main building was closed but we were able to wander around the ruins for free and take in the beautiful view. It is hard to not be in awe while visiting the fortress that was built by Richard the Lionheart. The structure took a year to build and was finished in 1198. It was built as a deterrent to the king of France to keep him from invading Normandy.
If you click on the link in the first paragraph it will take you to a site with the complete but brief history of the castle.
