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Fougères is a magnificent and surprising city.
We almost know it by heart but we fall under the spell every time.
We particularly like the fanciful and legendary atmosphere of the medieval quarter. THE castle, the church Saint Sulpice, the old houses…: all the buildings hide a host of details that tell the stories and beliefs of the city. Vacationers love this kind of anecdotes and we have a lot of fun sharing these little secrets with them.
The Legend of the Fairy Mélusine in Fougères
We advise them to start their walk by the castle. It houses one of the most great myths of MMiddle Ages: that of the Fairy Melusine. Indeed, the fortress belonged to the Lusignan family who claimed to be descended from this fairy. They are the ones who built the tower that bears his name. Inside, the show trail tells the legend to visitors. Even today, it is said that Mélusine comes to walk on the towers of the castle and that this announces disastrous events...
At the foot of the fortifications, the church SSaint-Sulpice is our favourite. On one of the stained glass windows, we find Mélusine, combing her long hair with a mirror in her hand. Another shows a priest with donkey ears. It is the Abbé Poussière, sorcerer priest of the 17rd century which perished in the flames of the stake in Rennes.
Do you know the story of the Virgin of the Marshes?
But the most important character is Notre-Dame-des-Marais, adored virgin of the Fougerais. The story goes that at the 12rd century, following the battle with the English, the statue of the Virgin disappeared in the marshes which surrounded the castle and that it was not found until two centuries later on the occasion of the reconstruction of the church. A stained glass window also recounts this legendary episode.
To discover in the unusual guided tours
In summer, you can be told all these fabulous stories by the guides of the city's heritage department during thematic and unusual visits. But the “must” is the visit of the castle at nightfall. By torchlight, the guides plunge us into a fantastic and dreamlike atmosphere to reveal all the mysteries of the fortress. Do not miss !
The favorites of Angèle and Paul
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