GAILLARD, CHTEAU

Chteau Gaillard, Les Andelys, Eure dpartement, France. (French: Saucy Castle), 12th-century castle built by Richard the Lion-Heart on the Andelys cliff overlooking the Seine River in France; substantial portions of it still stand. Chteau Gaillard, the strongest castle of its age, guarded the Seine River valley approach to Normandy. Skillfully designed and executed, with the base of the keep carved out of the natural rock, and with all approaches fronted with suitable towers and walls, it included an independent strongpoint (the chtelet) protecting the eastern end of the height, with the main keep occupying the rest of the site. In 1204 Philip II of France captured Chteau Gaillard after a siege of eight months. After isolating the fort by a double ditch, the French undermined and collapsed part of the chtelet and penetrated the main fortress through the latrines.