Ever heard of Gilles de Rais, the 15th-century convicted Breton serial killer? This knight and lord fought alongside Joan of Arc as a leader in the French army, then was hanged and burned as a murderous witch for the sexually-driven murder of children. Actually, he probably inspired the legend of Bluebeard.
Lovely, I know. Welcome to… History, I suppose.
Well, we visited the castle where he started his career as a serial killer, the Château de Tiffauges.
This was my brother’s and his partner’s idea so I didn’t do any research whatsoever—I just showed up on the parking lot and took a sit in the rental minivan along with Mark, my mom and my brother’s partner’s mother and younger brother.
It took about an hour to reach the sleepy town of Tiffauges. The castle was just down the street, on a hill overlooking the Sèvre Nantaise and Crûme rivers.
There are two kinds of medieval castles in France—rebuilt (like in Nantes or Angers) or in ruins. There isn’t much left of the château de Tiffauges. It lay in ruins for years. In fact, many houses in town were built using stones from the castle.
However, it is brought to life with a series of animations, performances, shows, demonstrations and more. We had a very packed schedule with activities ranging from sword fights to trebuchet and medieval crane demonstrations. The atmosphere was really relaxed and the team shared historic stories with a lot of humour.
This was the first time I got to see medieval war machines working—not to mention having my vaccine passport checked by a knight.
Château de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeA knight checking vaccine passport at the Château de TiffaugesChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in Vendée“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de Tiffauges“En temps de siège” show, Château de TiffaugesChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval trebuchet (“la bricole”) at the Château de TiffaugesMedieval crane at the Château de TiffaugesChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeMedieval weapons and armours at the Château de TiffaugesBows and arrows at the Château de TiffaugesBows and arrows at the Château de Tiffauges“Le trésor perdu” show, Château de TiffaugesChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in VendéeChâteau de Tiffauges, a medieval castle in Vendée
It’s a bit misleading to say that Gilles de Rais “fought alongside” Joan of Arc, which implies that Joan herself fought, although she bluntly denied that at her trial; and it also implies that the two of them were close comrades, whereas the two of them are barely even mentioned together in the original sources. There were dozens of commanders in Charles VII’s army, and Gilles de Rais just happened to be one of them.
I’m going to trust the history buff (you? ;-)) on this one. I fully admit I’m not that knowlegeable when it comes to medieval times, my info is based on what I learned at the castle and I’m sure shortcuts were taken. Interesting, though, what you’re explaining makes sense to me.
Le passeport est déjà effectif chez-vous? C’était rapide! Nous ça sera le 1er septembre. Très beau château, je ne crois pas être jamais passée par la VEndée.
Le passeport sanitaire a été mis en place dans l’été vu la recrudescence des cas et la baisse dans la vaccination. Il y a les pour et les contre… avec des manifs contre tous les samedi. Franchement, de toutes les restrictions prises, au moins celle-là a du sens pour moi (contrairement au masque dehors ou au couvre-feu…).
You know what Zhu, i laughed when I read your fourth paragraph.
Your trip was a typical Indonesian family trip, especially in smaller cities (or I might every city in Indonesia except Jakarta)
People tend to travel with all relatives in one van. During Eid Fitr (that’s a celebration day after Ramadhan the fasting month) it’s so common to see 9 -10 people in a mini van (the car was meant for 8 passengers) 😀 they travel to visit other relatives. We are lack of public mass transportation here, so private vehicles it is!
Anyway, thank you for the French brief history! I only know Maria Anttoniete until I read this.
Chinese tend to travel in small groups with relatives as well! Eid Fitr is celebrated in Muslim communities in France and in Canada, I love it because neighbourhoods are so lively with people carrying food from one house to another 😉
It’s a bit misleading to say that Gilles de Rais “fought alongside” Joan of Arc, which implies that Joan herself fought, although she bluntly denied that at her trial; and it also implies that the two of them were close comrades, whereas the two of them are barely even mentioned together in the original sources. There were dozens of commanders in Charles VII’s army, and Gilles de Rais just happened to be one of them.
I’m going to trust the history buff (you? ;-)) on this one. I fully admit I’m not that knowlegeable when it comes to medieval times, my info is based on what I learned at the castle and I’m sure shortcuts were taken. Interesting, though, what you’re explaining makes sense to me.
Le passeport est déjà effectif chez-vous? C’était rapide! Nous ça sera le 1er septembre. Très beau château, je ne crois pas être jamais passée par la VEndée.
Le passeport sanitaire a été mis en place dans l’été vu la recrudescence des cas et la baisse dans la vaccination. Il y a les pour et les contre… avec des manifs contre tous les samedi. Franchement, de toutes les restrictions prises, au moins celle-là a du sens pour moi (contrairement au masque dehors ou au couvre-feu…).
You know what Zhu, i laughed when I read your fourth paragraph.
Your trip was a typical Indonesian family trip, especially in smaller cities (or I might every city in Indonesia except Jakarta)
People tend to travel with all relatives in one van. During Eid Fitr (that’s a celebration day after Ramadhan the fasting month) it’s so common to see 9 -10 people in a mini van (the car was meant for 8 passengers) 😀 they travel to visit other relatives. We are lack of public mass transportation here, so private vehicles it is!
Anyway, thank you for the French brief history! I only know Maria Anttoniete until I read this.
Chinese tend to travel in small groups with relatives as well! Eid Fitr is celebrated in Muslim communities in France and in Canada, I love it because neighbourhoods are so lively with people carrying food from one house to another 😉