9 Abandoned Castles That Are Haunting Shells Of Their Former Glory

Haunting Abandoned Castles: Château Gaillard In France

Wikimedia CommonsChâteau Gaillard was built by King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, making it one of the oldest castles on this list.

Throughout history, castles were commonly used as a defensive strategy in warfare and the Château Gaillard in Normandy, France, was no exception.

The Château Gaillard, also known as the Fair Castle of the Rock for its construction atop a high limestone cliff, was borne out of the conflict between King Richard the Lionheart of England — also the Duke of Normandy — and King Phillip II of France.

The long-lasting feud between the two monarchs first erupted after King Richard married Berengaria of Navarre in a union that went against his agreement with King Phillip II to wed the French king’s sister, Alice.

In 1195, the men brokered the Peace of Louviers treaty, which gave King Richard total control over parts of Normandy but prohibited him from constructing and fortresses in Andeli, which would be considered neutral territory between them.

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The Château Gaillard was occupied by a number of royals, including King Louis IX.Getty Images

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The castle was built by King Richard in 1196 despite the Peace of Louviers treaty, which prohibited such fortresses on church territory.Wikimedia Commons

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The castle was the result of a long-standing conflict between King Richard and King Phillip II.myLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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Due to its location atop a limestone hill, Château Gaillard is also known as the Castle of the Rock. Alinari Archives/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

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The castle's location above the River Seine and Les Andelys village gave King Richard a strategic advantage over French King Phillip II.jasondelestre/Instagram

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Château Gaillard was also once a prison for Marguerite de Bourgogne, the wife of King Louis X who was imprisoned for infidelity.myLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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After King Richard's death, Château Gaillard was seized by French forces, who considered it to be too much of a threat in English hands.antdubois/Instagram

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The inner structure of Château Gaillard is surrounded by a moat.julie_moscicki_/Instagram

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Because the castle's construction had violated conditions of A French-British treaty, it was reported to the pope who mediated an agreement between the Archbishop of Rouen and King Richard.Getty Images

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The castle was demolished by the French in 1598 and was established as a historical monument centuries later.francky.m3/Instagram

9 Abandoned Castles That Are Haunting Shells Of Their Former Glory

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But King Richard went ahead and began constructing his Castle of the Rock in 1196 anyway. The castle's location overlooked the River Seine and the village of Les Andelys, which gave the English king a strategic advantage to protect his lands from the French king.

Over the centuries, Château Gaillard was occupied by a variety of residents.

It was a royal abode for King Louis IX before it was occupied by the exiled King David II of Scotland. At one point, the castle was also a prison for Marguerite de Bourgogne, whose crime was being unfaithful to her husband, King Louis X.

The castle was demolished in 1598 to prevent future occupation by foreign forces, but was later consecrated as a historical monument by the French government in 1862. To this day, the ruins remain a must-see site for visitors to the region.