Gisors

The castle of Gisors is a perfect example of the Norman motte and bailey plan. It has become more famous recently (since that silly book The Da Vinci Code) because it was at one point a stronghold of the Knights Templar, and finally the prison of the last head of the Order, Jacques de Molay, before he was taken to Paris to be burnt and to curse the King.

The previous castle was taken by the English in 945, but in 1066 Philippe I of France took advantage of the English being busy at home, and annexed Gisors to France. The existing castle was built between 1087 and 1133, during which time it kept changing hands between Normandy/England and France.

The town church, dedicated to Saints Gervais and Protais, is half Gothic and half Renaissance.