Vitre and Fourges, Towns in Brittany

The world is full of amazing and surprising destinations. There are so many amazing places that we all know like the pyramids of Egypt or Angkor Wat, but what blows my mind is when we stop in a town, just because. A town that we know nothing about. A town that does not appear underlined as a place of interest on any map or in any guidebook that we have seen; and after parking we walk round a corner and are blown away by that which we see. Vitre and Fourges are such towns in eastern Brittany, near the border of Normandy and the Loire.

Vitre and Fourges are fortified towns set high on hills, with 15^th and 16^th century chateau's (though parts of them date back to the 13^th century).

The chateau / castle at Vitre appears fairy tale-like with pencil point turrets, a draw-bridge, moat and built from a mixture of grey stone. The walls are more than 3m thick, many of which are curved and the windows looking out from the castle provide amazing views.

Views that were enhanced by the colour of the autumn leaves on the surrounding trees, the river below snaking around the hill and the field of billy goats beyond. Chateau Vitre was one of the most beautiful castles / chateaus that I have ever visited. What made it more special was that we were the only visitors at the time, so we had the grounds to ourselves.

Today was a reminder that we should always look around the corner; stop to take in places that otherwise could be overlooked; and we may be pleasantly surprised to see something beautiful.

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